March EditionP1

Issue-XXI

ContextRecently, the Reserve Bank of India announced that it was superseding the Yes Bank Board of Directors for 30 days “owing to a serious deterioration in the financial position of the Bank”.What is the Issue?

• The Reserve Bank of India has placed Yes Bank under moratorium.

• Yes Bank customers cannot make regular withdrawals of more than Rs. 50,000 a day till April 3, subject to a maximum of Rs.5 lakh.

• The RBI said it had “no alternative but to” place the Bank under moratorium “in the absence of a credible revival plan, and public interest and the interest of the bank’s depositors.”

• The Yes bank has also experienced serious governance issues and practices in recent years which have led to a steady decline of the bank said Reserve Bank of India.

• The RBI has announced a draft ‘Scheme of Reconstruction.’ This entails State Bank of India investing capital to acquire a 49% stake.

Background • Between 2004, when it was launched,

and 2015, Yes Bank was one of the buzziest banks.

• In 2015, UBS, a global financial services company, raised the first red flag about its asset quality.

• The UBS report stated that Yes Bank had loaned more than its net worth to companies that were unlikely to pay back.

• However, Yes Bank continued to extend loans to several big firms and became the fifth-largest private sector lender.

• But, the type of firms and sectors to which Yes Bank was lending resulted in the start of the crisis.

• According to one estimate, as much as 25% of all Yes Bank loans were extended to Non-Banking Financial Companies, real estate firms, and the construction sector.

• These were the three sectors of the Indian economy that have struggled the most over the past few years.

How did Yes Bank fall into the crisis?1. It went on a loaning spree with advances

rising by 334% between Financial Year 2014 and 2019.

2. Many borrowers started defaulting bank’s gross non-performing asset percentage, which is the percentage of loans overdue for more than 90 days, zoomed to 7.39% as of September 2019, the highest among comparable banks.

3. While bad loans piled up, the bank did not make enough provisions in its profits. Its provisions were the lowest among comparable banks.

4. Customers withdrew large amounts, resulting in the credit-deposit ratio crossing 100% in 2018-19. That is, it lent more than it received.

5. Loan spree and high NPA meant poor profitability, gauged by Yes Bank’s sinking Return on Assets.

6. The bank’s stock price fell steadily in the past year.

Will Yes Bank’s fall affect other private sector banks?

• The banking system runs on trust. The Yes

Bank episode could likely push depositors away from private sector banks.

• An analysis by AnandRathi Equities tries to evaluate the contagion impact on other private banks.

• It states: “With these developments, we ex-pect deposit growth for select private banks to slow, leading to lower credit growth”.

• The table in the figure above shows the calculated risk-based scores of 11 private banks.

How will this impact customers?1. Amount deducted towards loan and

premium payments will be impacted if it is higher than Rs. 50,000.

2. It will have an impact on customers whose salary account is linked to Yes Bank.

3. The possibility of renewing or granting loans and making investments by the bank will reduce.

RBI’S Revival Plan • Addressing a press conference in Delhi,

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that the State Bank of India had expressed interest in investing in Yes Bank. Sitharaman’s comments came just as the Reserve Bank of India unveiled a draft revival plan.

• Under the draft plan, SBI would invest money in Yes Bank and own 49 percent of the restructured bank. Yes Bank’s market value would also be revised to Rs 5,000 crore with 2,400 crore equity shares with a value of Rs 2 each.

• The capital infusion would happen with SBI paying at least Rs 10 per share and not the face value of Rs 2. According to a back-of-the-envelope calculation, at Rs 10 per share, SBI would have to fork out Rs 11,760 crore to own 49 percent of the restructured Yes Bank.

• The other measures of the RBI’s draft plan include a new board and an assurance that Yes Bank employees would work under the same salary and terms of employment as before. “Key managerial personnel”, however, could be let go by the new board if it so wishes.

Yes Bank crisis: What is AT1 capital? • In a bank, there are different tiers

(hierarchies) of capital (money). The top tier or T1 has the “equity” capital — that is, money put in by the owners and shareholders. It is the riskiest category of capital.

• Then there are different types of bonds (such as AT1 and AT2), which a bank floats to raise money from the market. Last is the depositor — the one who parks her money in the bank’s savings account.

• The depositor’s money is the safest type of capital. When something goes wrong, the depositor is paid back first and the equity owner the last. When the going is good, the depositor earns the lowest reward (rate of return) while the equity owners earn the most profits.

• What has created a problem is that RBI has said that capital raised via AT1 bonds, which is in the same tier of capital as equity (i.e., Tier 1), will be written off even though equity will not be.

World University Rankings by Subject 2020

Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897

Sustainable Development Goals: 36 Changes in Global Indicator Framework

ContextRecently, the Uttar Pradesh Recovery of Damage to Public and Private Property Or-dinance was promulgated by the governor of Uttar Pradesh.What is the Issue?

• The Uttar Pradesh government has promulgated a new ordinance granting wide powers to a new claims tribunal for collecting compensation from people accused of vandalism, even without giving them a chance to place their defense.

• The Allahabad High Court asked the Uttar Pradesh government to file a reply in the recovery of damages ordinance brought by it.

Pg 15

UP Property Damage Ordinance

Context

Recently, thirty-six major changes to the

global indicator framework for the Sustainable

Development Goals (SDGs) were approved

and adopted by the United Nations Statistical

Commission (UNSC).

hat is the Issue?

• United Nations Statistical Commission

(UNSC), at its 51st session that concluded

in New York made thirty-six major changes

in global indicator framework for the SDGs.

Pg 14

Pg 5 Pg 8 Pg 15

March Edition

Subject: EconomySub-Topic: Banking

YES BAnk CRISIS

Fortnightly Digest for Civil Services Aspirants RNI : DELENG19278

Price ` : 30.00/-

UP Property Damage Ordinance

COnTInUED On PAGE 3

March EditionP2

State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF)Subject: Disaster ManagementSub-Topic: Acts and ProvisionsContextThe government of India will treat the new coronavirus disease, Covid-19, as a notified disaster for the providing purpose of assis-tance under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). Cost of setting up addition-al testing laboratories and money spend on buying thermal scanners, ventilators, air purifiers and consumables for government hospitals can be incurred from the SDRF. Total expenditure on equipment should not exceed 10% of the annual allocation of the SDRF.What is the State Disaster Response Fund?

• The State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), constituted under Section 48 (1) (a) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, is the primary fund available with State Governments for responses to notified disasters.

• The Central Government contributes 75% of SDRF allocation for general category States/UTs and 90% for special category States/UTs (NE States, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir).

• The annual Central contribution is released in two equal instalments as per the recommendation of the Finance Commission. SDRF shall be used only for meeting the expenditure for providing immediate relief to the victims.

• Disaster (s) covered under SDRF are Cyclone, drought, earthquake, fire, flood, tsunami, hailstorm, landslide, avalanche, cloudburst, pest attack, frost and cold waves.

• Local Disaster: A State Government may use up to 10 percent of the funds available under the SDRF for providing immediate relief to the victims of natural disasters that they consider to be ‘disasters’ within the local context in the State and which are not included in the notified list of disasters of the Ministry of Home Affairs subject to the condition that the State Government has listed the State specific natural disasters and notified clear and transparent norms and guidelines for such disasters with the approval of the State Authority, i.e., the State Executive Authority (SEC).

Important features of SDRF • As per therecommendations of the

Finance Commission the aggregate size of the SDRF for each state, for each year, has fixed.

• SDRF is found in the ‘Public Account’ under ‘Reserve Fund’but direct expenditures are not made from Public Account.

• The share to the SDRF by Government of India is treated as a ‘grant in aid’.

• For overseeing the operation of the SDRF and monitoring compliance with prescribed processes, Ministry of Home Affairs is the nodalministry.

• Every year the audit of SDRF has done by Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG).

• On a half yearly basis State Government has to pay interest to the funds in SDRF, at the rate applicable to overdrafts.

• Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) can recommend an earlier release of 25% of the central share due to a state in the following year, if the exigencies of the particular calamity so warrants. This advance release is balanced against future installments due from the center.

• The financing of relief measures out of SDRF are decided by the State Executive Committee (SEC) constituted under Section 20 of the Disaster management Act.

• The responsibility of the overall administration of the SDRF is on State Executive Committee. However, the State Governmentborne the administrative expenses of SEC from its normal budgetary provisions.

• The Ministry of Home Affairs with the concurrence of Ministry of Finance is fixed the norms regarding the amount to be incurred on each approved item of expenditure (type of disaster). The budget of the state governmenthas to be borne any excess expenditure.

• At the time of natural calamities, a state Government is empowered to undertake necessary relief measures from SDRF, which is readily available with them. In the need of additional financial assistance from National Disaster Response Fund state governments have to submit a memorandum for the same and in the meantime utilize contingency fund of the State, if SDRF is exhausted.

14 Days news Summary

SnIPPETS‘Mac-binding’

According to a recent order issued by

the government, the Internet has been

restored in Jammu and Kashmir, but the

connectivity will be made available “with

mac-binding”.

• Every device has a Media Access

Control (MAC) address, a hardware

identification number that is unique

to it. While accessing the Internet,

every device is assigned an IP

address.

• Mac-binding essentially means

binding together the MAC and IP

addresses, so that all requests from

that IP address are served only by

the computer having that particular

MAC address.

• In effect, it means that if the IP

address or the MAC addresses

changes, the device can no longer

access the Internet. Also, monitoring

authorities can trace the specific

system from which a particular

online activity was carried out.

Gender Social norms

Index

The first Gender Social Norms Index was

recently released by the UN Development

Programmme (UNDP).

• This index measures how social

beliefs obstruct gender equality

in areas like politics, work, and

education, and contains data from 75

countries, covering over 80 percent

of the world’s population.

• The index found new clues to the

invisible barriers women face in

achieving equality – potentially

forging a path forward to breaking

through the so-called “glass ceiling”.

• Oneofthekeyfindingsofthesurvey

is, despite decades of progress

closing the equality gap between

men and women, close to 90 percent

of men and women hold some sort of

bias against women.

About this SectionThe ‘14 Days news Summary’ section covers news specifically curated over the last fortnight for the Civil Services aspirants. News covered in the section are more factual in

nature rather than analysis based. (less analysis is given)

This effort is done to ensure that you do not spend time reading news that is not relevant and can focus on news that remains relevant from the viewpoint of the examination.

The sub-section, ‘Snippets’ will provide additional information including brief news, concepts, explanation of key terms among others.

’Practice MCQs’ will also be found in this section. Questions will be based on the news covered to ensure you practice questions asked in the Prelims stage of the examination.

References: The Hindu, Indian Express, Livemint, PIB, Government websites and other national and international sources.

Black Carbon Levels Spike atHimalayan GlaciersSubject: Environment Sub-Topic: Environmental Pollution and DegradationContext Black carbon concentrations near the Gan-gotri glacier rose 400 times in summer due to forest fires and stubble burning from agricul-tural waste, and triggered glacial melt, says a study by scientists at the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG).About Black Carbon

• Black carbon is the sooty black material emitted from gas and diesel engines, coal-fired power plants, and other sources.

• The “black carbon” is said to be the second most important man-made agent of climate change.

• It comprises a significant portion of particulate matter or PM, which is an air pollutant.

• Black carbon is a global environmental problem that has negative implications for both human health and our climate.

• Inhalation of black carbon is associated with health problems including respira-

tory and cardiovascular disease, cancer, and even birth defects.

• Black carbon also contributes to climate change causing changes in patterns of rain and clouds.

Second largest contributor • Black carbon results from the incomplete

combustion of fossil fuels and biomass. • The fine particles absorb light and about

a million times more energy than carbon dioxide.

• It is said to be the second largest contributor to climate change after CO2.

• But unlike CO2, which can stay in the at-mosphere for years together, black car-bon is short-lived and remains in the at-mosphere only for days to weeks before it descends as rain or snow.

• The concentration varied from a minimum of 0.01μg/cubic metre in winter to 4.62μg/cubic metre during summer.

• Being a pristine zone far from sources of pollution, the measurements are critical to establishing a baseline for pollution loads and estimating the contribution of various sources to pollution.

Second largest emitter • India is the second largest emitter of

black carbon in the world, with emissions expected to increase dramatically in the coming decades, says study in the journal Atmospheric Research, with the Indo Gangetic plains said to be the largest contributor.

• Black carbon absorbs solar energy and warms the atmosphere.

• When it falls to earth with precipitation, it darkens the surface of snow and ice, reducing their albedo (the reflecting power of a surface), warming the snow, and hastening melting.

Source • The biggest source of soot emissions

is the burning of forest and savannah grasslands. But diesel engines account for about 70% of emissions from Europe, North America and Latin America.

• In Asia and Africa, wood burning domestic fires make up 60% to 80% of soot emissions.

• Coal fires are also a significant source of soot in China, parts of Eastern Europe, and former Soviet bloc countries.

• Soot warms the atmosphere by absorbing incoming and scattered heat from the Sun.

• It also promotes the formation of clouds, and generates further warming by dimming the reflective surface of snow and ice.

Climate Impacts • Black carbon is an important contributor

to warming because it is very effective at absorbing light and heating its surroundings.

• Per unit of mass, black carbon has a warming impact on climate that is 460-1,500 times stronger than CO

2.

COnTInUED On PAGE 15

March EditionP3

1. With reference to Freedom in the

World 2020 report, consider the

following statements:

1. The Freedom in the World 2020 report

ranks India at the 77thposition.

2. The report prepared on research and

reports on a number of core thematic

issues related to democracy, political

rights, and civil liberties.

3. The report is published by The United

Nations Commission on Human Rights.

Select the correct answer using the

code given below.

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans: (b)

2. Which of the following

statements is/are not correct

regarding the Indian Ocean

Commission?

1. IOC is the inter-governmental

organisation that coordinates

maritime governance in the

south-western Indian Ocean.

2. The Indian Ocean Commission

comprises Seychelles,

Madagascar, Comoros,

Mauritius, and Reunion Island,

France’s overseas territory in

the region.

3. Till now Mauritius has a status

of an observer in the Indian

Ocean Commission.

Select the correct answer using the

code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans. (c)

Sample MCQs

14 Days news SummaryInner Line Permit (ILP)Subject: Internal SecuritySub-Topic: Security challenges and their management in border areas

ISRO’s GISAT-1Subject: Science and TechnologySub-Topic: Achievements of Indians in science & technology

ContextRecently, curfew in parts of Meghalaya’s capital Shillong and East Khasi Hills district area was extended after the death of a man, taking the toll in clashes between tribal and non-tribal people to three.What is the Issue?

• A meeting between the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) and non-tribal people in the area was organized to gather support against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and for the introduction of the inner-line permit (ILP).

• Tribal organizations in Meghalaya have been demanding the ILP system, already applicable in four other north-eastern states, for restricting the entry of outsiders into the State.

• A man was stabbed in the Mawprem area in Shillong, as sporadic incidents of violence were reported from across Meghalaya in the aftermath of clashes between tribal and non-tribal groups that has left three people dead.

What is the Inner Line Permit (ILP)? • An Inner Line Permit is a document that

allows an Indian citizen to visit or stay in

ContextGeosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-F10) will launch GISAT-1 in April 2020 from SatishDhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. About GISAT-1

• GISAT-1 – Geo Imaging Satellite – will be the first of two planned Indian EO spacecraft to be placed in a geostationary orbit of around 36,000 km.

• It will apparently be in a fixed spot looking over the Indian continent at all times.

• The 2,268-kg spacecraft will provide imageries of “large areas of interest” on earth in almost real-time and at frequent intervals.

• Once GISAT-1 stabilises in its orbit and starts working over the next few weeks, it will, according to ISRO, provide “quick monitoring of natural disasters, episodic events, and any short-term events.

• Its multi-spectral and hyperspectral pay-loads would help to get “spectral signa-tures for agriculture, forestry, mineralogy, disaster warning, cloud properties, snow and glaciers, and oceanography.”

• The earth observing satellite that weighs around 2,275 kg has a lifespan of 7 years.

• It carries a multi- and hyper-spectral imager along with the 700 mm Ritchey-Chretien telescope for earth observation and data collection.

• Also, it has a high-resolution camera.Objectives of GISAT-1

• Facilitates near real-time observation of the Indian sub-continent, under cloud-free conditions, at frequent intervals.

a state that is protected under the ILP system.

• The system is in force today in three Northeastern states — Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram — and no Indian citizen can visit any of these states unless he or she belongs to that state, nor can he or she overstay beyond the period specified in the ILP.

• It has a fixed duration; outside citizens cannot live in these states after that period.

• The concept of an inner line permit was formulated during the British Government. An inner line permit is a travel document issued under the Eastern Frontier Regulations in 1873.

• Actually, the purpose of the British government was to protect their business interests by preventing Indians from doing business in these areas.

• The Government of India changed it in the year 1950. After independence, this rule was changed to a protective system to protect the local population from attacks of mass exodus.

• An ILP is issued by the state government concerned. It can be obtained after applying either online or physically. It states the dates of travel and also specifies the particular areas in the state which the ILP holder can travel to.

The CAB connection • The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill aims

to make it easier for non-Muslim refugees from Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Afghanistan to obtain Indian citizenship.

• If it is implemented with provisions for excluding from its ambit the states under the ILP regime, it means that beneficiaries under CAB will become Indian citizens but will not be able to settle in these three states.

• As a matter of fact, the same restriction applies to existing Indian citizens.

• Pradesh and Nagaland are not among those drastically affected by migration from Bangladesh. Mizoram shares a border with Bangladesh.

• The three states that have seen the highest migration, however, are Assam, Tripura and Meghalaya, none of which have an ILP system.

• While Meghalaya has amended a law, it is not yet clear what exact rules, visitors to the state would be subjected too.

• And officially, it has not been said to be a replication of the ILP regime.

Demands for an ILP System • Demands for an ILP system have been

made in various Northeastern states. • The North East Students’ Organisation,

an umbrella body of all-powerful students’ bodies of the regions, said in a press statement that it “reiterates its demand for the overall implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) in all NE states”.

• In Assam too, there have been demands by certain sections for the introduction of ILP.

• It helps quick monitoring of natural disasters.

• Keep a constant watch on borders. • Monitor any changes in the geographical

condition of the country. • It helps to obtain spectral signatures of

agriculture, forestry, mineralogy, disaster warning, cloud properties, snow, glaciers and oceanography.

About GSLV • Definition:

♦ Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) is a space launch ve-hicle designed, developed, and op-erated by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) to launch sat-ellites and other space objects into Geosynchronous Transfer Orbits.

♦ GSLV has the capability to put a heavier payload in the orbit than the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV).

• Description: Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (or GSLV) is a three-stage launcher with strap-on motors.

• The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III is a three-stage rocket:

♦ The first stage consists of two strap-on tanks fitted to either side of the rocket. The tanks contain solid fuel that is burnt, providing the initial thrust to fly the rocket out of Earth’s atmosphere. The strap-on tanks remain functional for 140 seconds after launch.

♦ The second stage consists of the core booster that ignites 114 seconds after lift-off. The core booster burns liquid fuel and is the primary source of thrust after the strap-on tanks detach from the rocket and fall back to the Earth at around 140 seconds after launch.

♦ The final stage is a cryogenic engine installed in the top part of the GSLV Mk-III. The cryogenic upper stage

So What now? • All eyes now will be on the State Bank

of India. • Earlier in the day, SBI chairman, while

assuring Yes Bank customers that their interests will be protected, had said that the bank would take a call on its next move based on the revival plan prepared by the RBI.

• SBI as well as the general public now has time until to comment or make suggestions on the RBI’s draft plan.

• Once the RBI finalizes its draft plan, the SBI will likely reveal its hand. There is already speculation that SBI might lead a consortium or tie-up with the Life Insurance Corporation of India to invest in Yes Bank.

FROM PAGE OnE

Yes Bank Crisis

provides the last-mile thrust after the liquid core booster separates from the rocket.

• The GSLV flight will have a four-meterdiametreogive-shaped payload fairing being flown for the first time.

• A payload fairing is a nose cone used by a spacecraft for protection against dynamic pressure and aerodynamic heating during launch.

Further developments • ISRO is expected to develop its own

space station within a decade. • ISRO scientists are making every effort to

develop our own space station. • Hopefully, in the next ten years, India will

have its own space station like the U.S. and China.

• To achieve this gigantic target, prepara-tions are already underway at ISRO.

• ISRO has planned to first send two unmanned spacecraft within a couple of years, and later a crewed mission in the third phase.

March EditionP4

SnIPPETS‘kishoriShakti karyakram’

It is a campaign started by 14 teenage girls

from Odisha’s Berhampur to empower

young girls living in slums of the city.

• The campaign includes making

adolescents and the community

aware of menstrual hygiene, the right

age for marriage, motivating school

and college drop-outs to restart

studies, promoting gender equality,

skill development and formation of

adolescent groups.

• As part of the campaign, ‘teen clubs’

are being established in the targeted

slums. These clubs will have girls and

boys as members.

• The activists will be coordinating

with Asha volunteers and Anganwadi

workers.

Women Transforming

India Awards

NITI Aayog organizes the Fourth Edition

of the Women Transforming India Awards.

WTI Awards are NITI Aayog’s initiative to

highlight the commendable and ground-

breaking endeavours of India’s women

leaders and changemakers.

• Since 2018, the Awards have been

hosted under the aegis of NITI

Aayog’s Women Entrepreneurship

Platform with a special focus on

entrepreneurship.

• It is launched in 8th March 2018

and the first of its kind facilitation

platform which is mandated to work

in collaboration with the public as

well as private sector organizations

and bring them on a single platform

by listing their women-focused

entrepreneurship schemes, initiatives

and programmes on WEP website.

14 Days news SummaryThe Central Sanskrit Universities Bill, 2019Subject: Social JusticeSub-Topic: Education

Delimitation of ConstituenciesSubject: PolitySub-Topic: Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States

ContextThe Central Sanskrit Universities Bill, 2020 has been passed by the Parliament after it was passed by Rajya Sabha.What is the key provision of the bill?

The Bill is intended to convert India’s three deemed-to-be Sanskrit universities into Central Sanskrit Universities.(i) Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan, New Delhi, (ii) ShriLalBahadurShastriRashtriya Sanskrit

Vidyapeeth, New Delhi, and (iii) Rashtriya Sanskrit Vidyapeeth, TirupatiWhat are the Salient Features of the Bill?

The following are the salient features of the Bill according to a legislative brief prepared by PRS Legislative Research, the premier research organization tracking the functioning of India’s Parliament.

• What the universities will do • The proposed central universities will:

(i) disseminate and advance knowledge for the promotion of Sanskrit,

(ii) make special provisions for inte-grated courses in humanities, social sciences, and science, and

(iii) train manpower for the overall development and preservation of Sanskrit and allied subjects.

• Powers and functionsThese include: (i) prescribing courses of study and

ContextRecently, President of India cancelled an earlier order of the Union government that deferred the delimitation exercise in the northeastern states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, and Nagaland.What is the Issue?

• The latest Law Ministry order noted that there has been a significant improvement in the security situation and a reduction in insurgency incidents, making the situation conducive for carrying out the delimitation exercise now.

• The delimitation exercise to readjust the division of each State and Union territory into territorial constituencies for elections to the LokSabha and the State Legislative Assemblies based on 2001 census figures was completed by November 26, 2008.

• However, this exercise under aegis of the Delimitation Commission was postponed in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and Nagaland on the apprehension of threat to the peace and public order.

Delimitation • Delimitation means the act or process of

fixing limits or boundaries of territorial

conducting training programs, (ii) granting degrees, diplomas, and

certificates, (iii) providing facilities through a

distance education system, (iv) conferring autonomous status on a

college or an institution, (v) providing instructions for education

in Sanskrit and allied subjects. • University authorities

Some of the authorities that the universities will have:

• A court, which will review the policies of the university and suggest measures for its development.

• An Academic and Activity Council, which will supervise academic policies.

• A Board of Studies, which will approve the subjects for research and recommend measures to improve standards of teaching.

• Visitor of the university: ♦ The President of India will be the

Visitor of the University. ♦ He may appoint persons to review

and inspect the functioning of the University.

♦ The Executive Council may take action based on the findings of the inspection.

♦ If no action is taken within a reasonable period, the Visitor may issue binding directions to the Council.

♦ Also, the Visitor may annul any proceeding of the University which does not conform to the Bill.

• Executive Council: ♦ The Executive Council will be

responsible for all the administrative affairs of the University.

♦ The Council will consist of 15 members. ♦ These include:

(i) the Vice-Chancellor (appointed by the Centre),

(ii) the Joint Secretary, Ministry of Human Resource Development, and

two eminent academics from the

field of Sanskrit or allied subjects.

♦ The Vice-Chancellor shall be the

chairperson of the Council.

• key functions of the Council include:

(i) creating teaching and academic

posts and their appointment,

(ii) managing the revenue and property

of the University,

(iii) managing and regulating the

finances of the University, and

(iv) Partnering with industry and non-

government agencies to advance

knowledge.

What are the provisions regarding Dispute

and Appeals?

• Any student or candidate whose name

has been removed from the rolls of the

University and who has been barred from

appearing for examinations may appeal

to the Executive Council for review of the

decision.

• Any dispute arising out the disciplinary

action taken by the University against a

student may be referred to a Tribunal of

Arbitration at the request of the student.

• Disputes arising out of the contract

between an employee and the University

may also be referred to the Tribunal.

• Tribunal will consist of:

(i) one member appointed by the

Executive Council,

(ii) one member nominated by the

employee or student concerned,

and

(iii) An umpire appointed by the Visitor.

constituencies in a country or a province having a legislative body.

• The job of delimitation is assigned to a high power body. Such a body is known as Delimitation Commission or a Boundary Commission.

• In India, such Delimitation Commissions have been constituted 4 times – in 1952 under the Delimitation Commission Act, 1952, in 1963 under Delimitation Commission Act, 1962, in 1973 under Delimitation Act, 1972 and in 2002 under Delimitation Act, 2002.

• The Delimitation Commission in India is a high power body whose orders have the force of law and cannot be called in question before any court.

• These orders come into force on a date to be specified by the President of India in this behalf.

• The copies of its orders are laid before the House of the People and the State Legislative Assembly concerned, but no modifications are permissible therein by them.

Methods of delimitation • Although all four delimitation commissions

stayed silent on the methodology used to redraw electoral boundaries, there are multiple methods that can be employed- Webster method.

• Of all these, the Webster method comes closest to the Indian context of one-person-one-vote.

• It does not favour larger or smaller states and allocates seats as close as possible to the “number of seats of average

population size that each state could return.

no effect of 2002 delimitation in five states • The 2002 delimitation exercise was

deferred in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Nagaland and Jharkhand till 2026, which means there was no change in the electoral boundaries in these states.

• In Jharkhand, even though the exercise was conducted, it had no legal effect under Paragraph 10B of the Delimitation Act, 2002.

• This is because the exercise would have reduced the number of reserved seats in the state, because of which there were protests by various quarters.

• The objective of delimitation is to not let the number of reserved seats decrease.

Criticism regarding delimitation • Both the 42nd and 84th amendments

froze the number of LokSabha seats for a period of 50 years (1981 to 2031).

• This, according to the Centre for Study of Delimitation chairman AK Verma, created several anomalies.

• In an article published in the Indian Journal of Political Science, he wrote that while the population continued to grow unabated, the freeze made “representatives over-representing representatives”.

• This means that MPs are now representing a huge, unma nageable size of voters, which may also be why they are not in touch with their electorate.

March EditionP5

WHO Declares Corona Virus a PandemicSubject: Science and technologySub-Topic: Diseases and PreventionContextThe World Health Organization (WHO) declared COVID-19 a pandemic, pointing to the many cases of the coronavirus illness in over 110 countries and territories around the world and the sustained risk of further global spread.What is difference between epidemic and pandemic?

Epidemic is a term that is often broadly used to describe any problem that has grown out of control. An epidemic is defined as “an outbreak of a disease that occurs over a wide geographic area and affects an exceptionally high proportion of the population.

An epidemic is an event in which a disease is actively spreading. In contrast, the term pandemic relates to geographic spread and is used to describe a disease that affects a whole country or the entire world.Disease Event Classification

While the level of disease occurrence can be described in many ways, it is primarily defined by two measurable factors:

• The pattern and speed by which a disease moves (known as the reproduction rate)

• The size of the susceptible population (known as the critical community size)

Based on the disease prevalence, incidence, and the known or unknown disease pathways, there are several ways an epidemiologist might describe a disease event:

• Sporadic-it refers to a disease that occurs infrequently or irregularly. Food-borne pathogens, such as Salmonella or E. coli, can often cause sporadic disease outbreaks.

• Cluster- it refers to a disease that occurs in larger numbers even though the actual number or cause may be uncertain. An example is the cluster of cancer cases often reported after a chemical or nuclear plant disaster.

• Endemic-it refers to the constant presence and/or usual prevalence of a disease in a geographic population.

• Hyperendemic-it refers to persistent, high levels of disease well above what is seen in other populations. For example, HIV is hyperendemic in parts of Africa, where as many as one in five adults has the dis-ease, and endemic in the United States, where roughly one in 300 is infected.

• Epidemic- it refers to a sudden increase in the number of cases of a disease above what is normally expected. Outbreak carries the same definition as an epidemic but is often used to describe a more limited geographic event.

• Pandemic-it refers to an epidemic that has spread over several countries or continents, usually affecting a large number of people.

Some examples of Pandemics in History

In addition to HIV, which has killed over 39

million people since 1982, there have been other equally devastating pandemics in history:

• The Plague of Justinian of 541 A.D. was attributed to the bubonic plague and wiped out 25-50 million people in one year.

• The Black plague killed more than 75 million people from 1347 to 1351, if the count includes those who died in Middle Eastern lands, China, and India, in addition to Europe.

• The Spanish flu pandemic of 1918 killed well over 50 million people in one year, including 675,000 Americans.

• The on-going tuberculosis pandemic continues to kill over 1.5 million people annually. Despite the availability of the effective treatment, multi-drug resistance has staved efforts to reverse the progression of the pandemic.

What is COVID-19?

In December 2019, an outbreak of a coronavirus (officially known as - COVID-19) in China killed over 4,973 people across the globe and infected over 126,386. The virus has spread to over 127 countries.

What is coronavirus? • Coronaviruses are a large group of

viruses that are common among animals. • The spikes protruding from the virus’s

membrane look like the sun’s corona. • It is from this that the virus gets get the

name ‘coronavirus’. • It causes illnesses of the respiratory

tract, ranging from the common cold to severe conditions like SARS.

• According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), a novel coronavirus (nCoV) is a new strain that has not been previously identified in humans.

Sample MCQ’s

14 Days news Summary

World University Rankings by Subject 2020Subject: International RelationSub-Topic: Important International institutionsContextRecently, the Indian Institutes of Technology, Bombay and Delhi, have both broken into the world’s top 50 engineering and technology institutions.key Highlights

• According to a key global ranking re-leased five IITs — including Kharagpur, Madras, and Kanpur — made it into the top 100 list in that category of the QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) World University Ranking by Subject for 2020.

• IIT-Bombay was ranked at 44, while IIT-Delhi stood at 47.

• However, engineering and technology were the only major subject group where Indian institutions were able to crack the elite top 100 tier.

• Overall, 12 institutions from the country were ranked in the top 500 in this cat-egory alone.

• In the natural sciences category, three Indian institutions made it to the top 200: IIT-Bombay at 108th rank, closely fol-lowed by the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, at the 111th position, while IIT-Madras scraped in at the 195th rank.

• Jawaharlal Nehru University remained the country’s top institution in the arts and humanities category, with a global ranking of 162, followed at a distance by Delhi University (DU) at 231.

Indian and Global Ranking • The best Indian institutions are generally

characterized by relatively strong scores for teaching environment and indus-try income, but perform poorly when it

comes to international outlook compared with both regional and international counterparts.

• India has a huge amount of potential in global higher education, given its rapidly growing youth population and economy and use of English language instruction.

• The Indian government has strong am-bitions to boost the global standing of its top universities and attract foreign stu-dents, academics and research collab-oration.

• It now needs to back up these aspira-tions with high levels of investment -- or risk declining further amid increasing global competition, especially from other parts of Asia.

• Now in its 16th year, the ranking includes over 1,300 universities from 92 countries.

• Rankings are done across 13 perfor-mance indicators grouped into five areas: teaching (the learning environment), re-search (volume, income, reputation), ci-tations (research influence), international outlook (staff, students and research) and industry outcome (knowledge transfer).

• The University of Oxford took the first place in the overall rankings, followed by the California Institute of Technology, University of Cambridge, Stanford Uni-versity and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

What are the parameters on universities can be evaluated?Universities continue to be evaluated ac-cording to the following six metrics:

• Academic Reputation • Employer Reputation • Faculty/Student Ratio • Citations per faculty • International Faculty Ratio • International Student Ratio

3. Consider the following

statements:

1. GISAT-1 — Geo Imaging Sat-

ellite — will be the first of two

planned Indian EO spacecraft

to be placed in a geostationary

orbit of around 36,000 km.

2. The Geosynchronous Satellite

Launch Vehicle Mark III is a

three-stage launcher.

Which of the statement(s) given

above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans. (c)

4. Which of the following

statements is/are correct

regarding the State Disaster

Response Fund?

1. The Central Government

contributes75% of SDRF

allocation for special category

States/UTs.

2. The State Disaster Response

Fund (SDRF), constituted

under Section 48 (1) (a) of the

Disaster Management Act,

2005.

3. As per the recommendations

of the Finance Commission the

aggregate size of the SDRF for

each state, for each year, has

fixed.

4. The share to the SDRF by the

Government of India is treated

as a ‘grant in aid’.

Select the correct answer using

the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 4 only

(c) 2, 3 and 4 only

(d) All of the above

Ans: (c)

March EditionP6

Un Body Intends to Intervene in an SC case Against CAASubject: International RelationSub-Topic: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora

Sukhna Lake is a Living EntitySubject: EnvironmentSub-Topic: Environmental Impact Assessment

ContextRecently, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights “intends to file” an Interven-tion Application in the Supreme Court of India.On what grounds is a Un body seeking to intervene in a case regarding a domestic Indian law?

• The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN Human Rights) is the leading UN entity on human rights.

• The General Assembly entrusted both the High Commissioner and her Office with a unique mandate to promote and protect all human rights for all people.

• As the principal United Nations office mandated to promote and protect hu-man rights for all, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) leads global human rights efforts to speak out objectively in the face of human rights violations worldwide.

• In a “Statement of Interest” that is part of application seeking to “intervene as amicus curiae (third party)”, High Com-missioner has invoked its “mandate to inter alia protect and promote all human rights and to conduct necessary advoca-cy in that regard, established according to the United Nations General Assembly resolution 48/141”.

• This resolution, adopted by the UNGA in 1994, created the post of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights.

ContextThe Punjab and Haryana high court declared Sukhna Lake a “living entity” or “legal per-son” with rights, duties and liabilities of a living person. It also declared all citizens of Chandigarh as loco parentis (in the place of a parent) to save the lake from extinction.What was the Issue?

• Ordering that all commercial, residential and other structures in the catchment area of Sukhna Lake falling in the areas of Punjab, Haryana and UT Chandigarh are declared illegal and unauthorized.

• The Punjab and Haryana High Court said the illegal constructions in the catchment area as delineated by the Survey of India – be demolished within a period of three months.

• The high court also court quashed Pun-jab’s Nayagaon Master Plan-2021 as well as Haryana’s development Plan called Mata Mansa Devi Urban Complex for the areas falling under the Survey of India map, 2004.

About Sukhna Lake • It is located inChandigarh, Punjab

What exactly does the intervention appli-cation say?

• The OHCHR has welcomed as “com-mendable” the CAA’s stated purpose of protection of some persons from perse-cution on religious grounds, simplifying procedures and requirements and facil-itating the granting of citizenship to such persons, including migrants in an irreg-ular situation, as well as refugees, from certain neighboring countries.

• It also “acknowledges the history of openness and welcome that India has ex-hibited to persons seeking to find a safer, more dignified life within its borders”.

• However, “the examination of the CAA raises important issues for international human rights law and its application to migrants, including refugees”.

• The “examination by the Honourable Court of the CAA is of substantial interest to the High Commissioner”, the inter-vention application says, “considering its potential implications for the application and interpretation of India’s international human rights obligations, including the right to equality before the law and the prohibition of discrimination as well as the CAA’s impact on the protection of human rights of migrants, including ref-ugees in India”.

• The application acknowledges the is-sue of nondiscrimination on nationality grounds falls outside the scope of this intervention but insists that “this in no way implies that there are not human rights concerns in this respect”.

Is there a specific basis on which the High Commissioner has faulted the CAA? • The application flags some central

principles of international human rights law: ♦ the impact of the CAA on some

migrants; ♦ the enjoyment of human rights by

all migrants and the rights of all migrants (non-citizens) to equality before the law; and

♦ the principle of non-refoulment, which prohibits the forcible return of refugees and asylum seekers to a country where they are likely to be persecuted.

• The application mentions that all mi-grants “regardless of their race, ethnicity,

religion, nationality and/or immigration status enjoy human rights and are enti-tled to protection”.

• It cites international human rights instruments to urge the inclusion of non-discrimination, equality before the law, and equal protection before the law into the foundation of a rule of law.

• International human rights law, the appli-cation says, does not distinguish between citizens and non-citizens or different groups of non-citizens to provide them protection from discrimination, “including in respect of their migration status”.

Amicus curiae • It means “friend of the court”-- Some-

one who is not a party to the litigation, but who believes that the court’s deci-sion may affect its interest.

• He is not a party to a lawsuit and thus differs from an intervenor, who has a di-rect interest in the outcome of the lawsuit and is therefore permitted to participate as a party to the suit.

• The submission of amicus curiae briefs can be found in the practices and proce-dures of international courts and tribu-nals, and also in the dispute settlement proceedings of the WTO.

How has India reacted to this move by Un Human Rights?

• The Citizenship Amendment Act is an in-ternal matter of India and concerns the sovereign right of the Indian Parliament to make laws.

• India believes that no foreign party has any locus standi on issues pertaining to India’s sovereignty.

• The MEA spokesperson said that India was clear that the CAA is constitutionally valid and complies with all requirements of (India’s) constitutional values, and is reflective of our long-standing national commitment in respect of human rights issues arising from the tragedy of the Partition of India.

• India is a democratic country governed by the rule of law.

• India has the utmost respect for and full trust in its independent judiciary and confident that sound and legally sus-tainable position will be vindicated by the Supreme Court of India.

• Stretching across 3 km, this man-made lake was created in the year 1958 by damming the SukhnaChoe stream flow-ing from the Shivalik hills.

• The lake is enclosed by a golf course on the south and the famous Rose Garden on its western end.

• The Sukhna Lake is also the habitat of a number of fishes and migratory birds like cranes and Siberian ducks.

• It has also been declared as a reserved national wetland by the Government of India.

What is a legal entity?A legal entity means an entity which acts like a natural person but only through a designated person, whose acts are processed within the ambit of the law.Previously declared living Entities

• Uttarakhand high court declared Ganga and Yamuna rivers “living entities”.

• The living entity status has been accorded to glaciers, forests and lakes of Hima-layas. The Uttarakhand High Court has passed this exemplary judgement in an endeavour to prevent environmental de-struction in this area.

Directions for Lake • The Court has also directed Chandigarh

to ensure that the average capacity of the lake is increased by at least 100-150 Ha. by one-time large scale desilting (dredg-ing) of the lake.

• Thereafter the capacity once created should be maintained through regular dredging.

• The States of Punjab, Haryana and Union Territory, Chandigarh is directed to lower the storage capacity of the check dams to en-sure regular flow of water into Sukhna Lake.

• Chandigarh has also been directed to en-sure that there is no seepage losses in the lake and has permanent discharge mea-surement site about a half kilometre up-stream in the channel with an automatic system to check sedimentation.

• On constructions, ♦ The court has said that the

construction activity in the Chandigarh and its periphery area was required to be undertaken strictly as per the laws framed by Haryana and Punjab.

♦ The purpose of the enactment of The Capital of Punjab (Development and Regulation) Act, 1952 was to ensure healthy and planned development of a new city.

♦ Non-implementation of these Acts in and around the periphery of Chandigarh has led to mushrooming of unauthorized construction activities leading to lowering the civic life.

• 1.0 km area from the boundary of Sukhna Lake Wildlife Sanctuary has been ordered to be declared as Eco-Sensitive zone falling in the areas of the States of Punjab and Haryana.

• Sukhna Lake has also been declared as a “legal entity/legal person/juristic person/ ju-ridical person/moral person/artificial person”.

SnIPPETSSir Creek pact

Recently the third edition of WION’s global

summit was held in Dubai. The theme

was “Navigating and negotiating global

imperatives”.

• Sir Creek is a 96-km strip of water

disputed between India and Pakistan

in the Rann of Kutch marshlands.

• The dispute lies in the interpretation of

the maritime boundary line between

Kutch and Sindh.

• The Creek opens up in the Arabian Sea

and roughly divides the Kutch region

of Gujarat from the Sindh Province of

Pakistan.

‘United for Biodiversity’

The European Commission has launched

the ‘United for Biodiversity’ coalition.

• It was launched on 3rd March2020 on

the occasion of World Wildlife Day.

• The coalition is made up of zoos,

aquariums, botanical gardens,

national parks, and natural history

and science museums from around

the world.

• The coalition offers the opportunity

for all such institutions to “join forces

and boost public awareness about the

nature crisis.

14 Days news Summary

March EditionP7

nano-ScienceSubject: Science & TechnologySub-Topic: nano-TechnologyContextRecently, the International Conference on Nano Science and Nano Technology (ICON-SAT) under the aegis of Nano Mission, De-partment of Science and Technology (DST), started at Biswa Bangla Conventional Centre, Kolkata focusing on the recent advances in this frontier research field.What is nanotechnology?Nanoscience and nanotechnology are the study and application of extremely small things and can be used across all the other science fields, such as chemistry, biology, physics, materials science, and engineering.What is nanoscience and nanotechnology?

• Nanotechnology, or, as it is sometimes called, molecular manufacturing , is a branch of engineering that deals with the design and manufacture of extremely small electronic circuits and mechanical devices built at the molecular level of matter.

• A nanoparticle (or nanopowder or nanocluster or nanocrystal) is a microscopic particle with at least one dimension less than 100 nm. Nanoparticle research is currently an area of intense scientific research, due to a wide variety of potential applications in biomedical, optical, and electronic fields.

• Nanoparticles are of great scientific interest as they are effectively a bridge between bulk materials and atomic or molecular structures. A bulk material should have constant physical properties regardless of its size, but at the nano-scale this is often not the case.

What are the Properties of nanoparticles?Physical Properties of nanoparticles: Nanoparticles are unique because of their large surface area and this dominates the contribu-tions made by the small bulk of the material.

(a) Optical Properties of nanoparticles: Nanoparticles also often possess unexpected optical properties as they are small enough to confine their electrons and produce quantum effects.

(b) Formation of Suspensions: An important physical property of nanoparticles is their ability to form suspensions. This is possible since the interaction of the particle surface with the solvent is strong enough to overcome density differences.

(c) Magnetization and Other Properties of nanoparticles: Other properties unique among nanoparticles are quantum confinement in semiconductor particles, surfaceplasmon resonance in some metal particles and superparamagnetism in magnetic materials.

What are the applications of nano technology?1. Medicine: Researchers are developing

customized nanoparticles the size of mol-ecules that can deliver drugs directly to diseased cells in your body. When it’s per-fected, this method should greatly reduce the damage treatment such as chemo-therapy does to a patient’s healthy cells.

2. Electronics: Nanotechnology holds some answers for how we might increase the capabilities of electronics devices while we reduce their weight and power consumption.

3. Food: Nanotechnology is having an impact on several aspects of food science, from how food is grown to how it is packaged. Companies are developing nanomaterials that will make a difference not only in the taste of food, but also in food safety, and the health benefits that food delivers.

4. Fuel Cells: Nanotechnology is being used to reduce the cost of catalysts used in fuel cells to produce hydrogen ions from fuel such as methanol and to improve the efficiency of membranes used in fuel cells to separate hydrogen ions from other gases such as oxygen.

5. Solar Cells: Companies have developed nanotech solar cells that can be manufactured at significantly lower cost

than conventional solar cells.6. Batteries: Companies are currently

developing batteries using nanomaterials. One such battery will be a good as new aftersitting on the shelf for decades. Another battery can be recharged significantly faster than conventional batteries.

7. Space: Nanotechnology may hold the key to making space-flight more practical. Advancements in nanomaterials make lightweight spacecraft and a cable for the space elevator possible. By significantly reducing the amount of rocket fuel required, these advances could lower the cost of reaching orbit and traveling in space.

8. Fuels: Nanotechnology can address the shortage of fossil fuels such as diesel and gasoline by making the production of fuels from low grade raw materials economical, increasing the mileage of engines, and making the production of fuels from normal raw materials more efficient.

9. Better Air Quality: Nanotechnology can improve the performance of catalysts used to transform vapors escaping from cars or industrial plants into harmless gasses. That’s because catalysts made from nanoparticles have a greater surface area to interact with the reacting chemicals than catalysts made from larger particles. The larger surface area allows more chemicals to interact with the catalyst simultaneously, which makes the catalyst more effective.

10. Cleaner Water: Nanotechnology is being used to develop solutions to three very different problems in water quality. One challenge is the removal of industrial wastes, such as a cleaning solvent called TCE, from groundwater.

Nanoparticles can be used to convert the contaminating chemical through a chemical reaction to make it harmless.

11 Chemical Sensors: Nanotechnology can enable sensors to detect very small amounts of chemical vapors. Various types of detecting elements, such as carbon nanotubes, zinc oxide nanowires or palladium nanoparticles can be used in nanotechnology-based sensors.

14 Days news Summary

The Right of an Accused to be DefendedSubject: PolitySub-Topic: JudiciaryContextRecently, the Karnataka High Court observed that it is unethical and illegal for lawyers to pass resolutions against representing accused in court.What is the Issue?

• The issue rises after local bar associations had objected to four students arrested for sedition being defended in court.

• The Hubli Bar Association submitted that it would take back a resolution it had passed on February 15, the High Court asked the association to place on record a resolution withdrawing the earlier one.

• This is not the first time that bar associations have passed such resolutions, despite a Supreme Court ruling that these are “against all norms of the Constitution, the statute and professional ethics”.

What does the Constitution say about the right of an accused to be defended?

• Article 22(1) gives the fundamental right to every person not to be denied the right to be defended by a legal practitioner of his or her choice.

• Article 14 provides for equality before the law and equal protection of the laws within the territory of India.

• Article 39A, part of the Directive Principles of state policy, states that equal opportunity to secure justice must not be denied to any citizen by reason of economic or other disabilities, and provides for free legal aid.

What has the Supreme Court said about such resolutions by bar associations?

• In 2010, a Supreme Court Bench of Justices MarkandeyKatju and GyanSudha Mishra dealt with the illegality of such resolutions (A S Mohammed Rafi vs State of Tamil Nadu, also referred to by the Karnataka High Court recently).

• The 2010 case arose from a confrontation between a lawyer and policemen in Coimbatore in 2006, after which lawyers passed a resolution to not allow any lawyer to represent the police personnel.

• The Madras High Court ruled this “unprofessional”, after which lawyers appealed in the Supreme Court.

• The Supreme Court ruled: “In our opinion, such resolutions are wholly illegal, against all traditions of the bar and against professional ethics.

• Every person, however wicked, depraved, vile, degenerate, perverted, loathsome, execrable, vicious or repulsive he may be regarded by society has a right to be defended in a court of law and correspondingly, it is the duty of the lawyer to defend him.

How are the professional ethics of lawyers defined?

• The Bar Council of India has Rules on Professional Standards, part of the Standards of Professional Conduct and Etiquette to be followed by lawyers under the Advocates Act.

• An advocate is bound to accept any brief in the courts or tribunals, at a fee consistent with his standing at the Bar and the nature of the case.

• The Rules provide for a lawyer refusing to accept a particular brief in “special circumstances”.

• Last year, The Uttarakhand High Court clarified that these special circumstances refer to an individual advocate who may choose not to appear in a particular case, but who cannot be prohibited from defending an accused by any threat of removal of his membership of the bar association.

How frequent are resolutions not to defend an accused?Various bar associations across the country have passed such resolutions over the years. Among the prominent cases: • After the 2008 terror attack in Mumbai, a

resolution was passed against representing AjmalKasab. A Legal Aid lawyer was assigned the brief but he refused, while another who agreed to defend Kasab faced threats. Subsequently, a lawyer was appointed and given police security.

• After the 2012 gangrape in Delhi, lawyers in Saket court passed a resolution not to defend the accused.

Have lawyers faced action for such resolutions?A writ petition was filed in the Uttarakhand High Court after the Kotdwar Bar Association passed a resolution stating that anyone who represented the accused in the murder case of an advocate would have their membership of the Bar terminated. The court held the resolution null and void.

5. Which one of the following lakes

has given the status of a Living

Entity by Punjab and Haryana

High Court:

(a) Khabbiki lake

(b) Sukhna lake

(c) Ranjit Sagar dam lake

(d) None of the above

Ans: (b)

6. With reference to Dholavira,

which of the following state-

ments is/are correct?

1. The site was unearthed by the

Archeological Survey of India

(ASI) in 1967 but has been

systematically excavated only

since 1990.

2. During the excavations of the

site,Artefacts include terracotta

pottery, beads, gold and copper

ornaments had found.

3. Dholavira is the larger of

the two most remarkable

excavations of the Indus Valley

Civilization or Harappan culture.

Select the correct answer using

the codes given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Ans. (d)

7. The word ‘ Amicus curiae’ is

sometimes mentioned in media

in reference to

(a) friend of the court

(b) ambassador of a country

(c) Chief justice of the international

court

(d) President of UNICEF

Ans: (a)

Sample MCQs

March EditionP814 Days news SummaryEpidemic Diseases Act, 1897Subject: Polity and Governance Sub-Topic: Government policies and interventions

Gender Social norms IndexSubject: Social justiceSub-Topic: Social empowerment

ContextWhile the latest coronavirus pandemic rag-es across the world, India has been no ex-ception to its stride. To contain the spread of COVID-19, the government of India invoked theSection 2 of the 1897 Epidemic Diseas-es Actso that Health Ministry advisories are enforceable.What is Epidemic Diseases Act of 1897?The Epidemic Diseases Act aims to provide for better prevention of the spread of Dangerous Epidemic Diseases.

The Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 is a law which was very first enacted to tackle bubonic plague in Bombay state in colonialIndia. The law is for containment of epidemics by providing special powers that are required for the implementation of containment measures to control the spread of the disease.

What are the Provisions under this act?India secured 131st rank on a flourishing in-dex that measures the best chance at sur-vival and well-being for children and 77th on a sustainability index that takes into account per capita carbon emissions and the ability of children in a nation to live healthy lives.

ContextRecently, launched Gender Social Norms Index publication contains discerning insights regarding gender inequalities across the world.About Gender Social norms Index (GSnI)

• The Gender Social Norms Index (GSNI) measures how social beliefs obstruct gender equality in areas like politics, work, and education, and contains data from 75 countries, covering over 80 % of the world’s population.

• It is published by UNDP. • The analysis reveals that despite

decades of progress closing the equality gap between men and women, close to 90 % of men and women hold some sort of bias against women, providing new clues to the invisible barriers women face in achieving equality.

• According to the index, about half of the world’s men and women feel that men make better political leaders, and over 40 % feel that men make better business executives and that men have more right to a job when jobs are scarce. 28 % think it is justified for a man to beat his wife.

Findings of the report 1. Short title and extent.—(1) This Act may be

called the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897.2. Power to take special measures and

prescribe regulations as to dangerous epidemic disease.—(1) When at any time the State Government is satisfied that the State or any part thereof is visited by, or threatened with, an outbreak of any dangerous epidemic disease, the State Government, if it thinks that the ordinary provisions of the law for the time being in force are insufficient for the purpose, may take, or require or empower any person to take, such measuresand, by public notice, prescribe such temporary regulations to be observed by the public or by any person or class of persons as it shall deem necessary to prevent the outbreak of such disease or the spread thereof, and may determine in what manner and by whom any expenses incurred including compensation if any shall be defrayed.

(2) In particular and without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing provisions, the State Government may take measures and prescribe regulations for the inspection of persons travelling by railway or otherwise, and the segregation, in hospital, temporary accommodation or otherwise, of persons suspected by the inspecting officer of being infected with any such disease.

2A. Powers of Central Government—When the Central Government is satisfied that India or any part thereof is visited by, or threatened with, an outbreak of any dangerous epidemic disease and that

the ordinary provisions of the law for the time being in force are insufficient toprevent the outbreak of such disease or the spread thereof, the Central Government may takemeasures and prescribe regulations for the inspection of any ship or vessel leaving or arriving at any port in the territories to which this Act extends and for such detention thereof, or of any person intending to sail therein, or arriving thereby, as may be necessary.

3. Penalty— any person disobeying any regulation or order made under this Act shall be deemed to have committed an offence punishable under section 188 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860).

4. Protection to persons acting under Act.—No suit or other legal proceeding shall lie against any person for anything done or in good faith intended to be done under this Act.

Some examples of implementation of this Act-

• In 2009, to combat the swine flu in Pune, Section 2 of Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897 were invoked to open screening centres in civic hospitals across the city, and swine flu was declared a notifiable disease.

• In 2015, to tackle malaria and dengue in Chandigarh, the Act was implemented and controlling officers were instructed to ensure the issuance of notices and fine of rupees 500 to offenders.

• In 2018, the district Magistrate of Vadodara in Gujarat came with a notification under this Act declaring the Khedkarmsiya village as affected by cholera after thirty one persons complained of symptoms of the disease.

How big and thick is the Glass Ceiling? • New analysis suggests that it covers all

aspects of women’s lives – including the household – and that it is constructed, not of glass, but of pervasive bias and prejudice against women held by both men and women worldwide.

• GSNI measures how social beliefs obstruct gender equality in areas like politics, work, and education, and contains data from 75 countries, covering over 80 % of the world’s population.

• This new analysis reveals that despite decades of progress closing the equality gap between men and women, close to 90 % of men and women hold some sort of bias against women, providing new clues to the invisible barriers women face in achieving equality, and a potential path forward to shattering the Glass Ceiling.

Insights from the Gender Social norms Index findings are as follows:

• No country in the world – rich or poor - has achieved gender equality.

♦ In sub-Saharan Africa, one woman in every 180 giving birth dies (more than 20 times the rate in developed countries).

♦ In most regions, adult women are less educated, have less access to labour markets than men and lack access to political power.

• The world is not on track to achieve gender equality by 2030.

♦ Based on current trends, it would take 257 years to close the gender

gap in economic opportunity. ♦ The number of female heads of

government is lower today than five years ago, with only 10 women in such positions among 193 countries (down from 15 in 2014).

• Societies often tell their girls that they can become anything they want and are capable of while investing in their education. But the same societies tend to block their access to power positions without giving them a fair chance.

• Women make greater and faster progress where their empowerment or social power is lower (basic capabilities). But they face a glass ceiling where they have greater responsibility, political leadership and social payoffs in markets, social life and politics (enhanced capabilities).

• The higher the power and responsibility, the wider the gender gap — for instance, in the case of heads of state and government it is almost 90%.

Conclusion • UNDP is calling on governments and

institutions to use a new generation of policies to change these discriminatory beliefs and practices through education, and by raising awareness and changing incentives.

• For instance, by using taxes to incentivize fairly sharing child-care responsibilities, or by encouraging women and girls to enter traditionally male-dominated sectors such as the armed forces and information technology.

SnIPPETSYuvaVIgyanikAryakram

It is a special programme for School

Children, in tune with the Government’s

vision “Jai Vigyan, Jai Anusandhan.It is

launched by the Indian Space Research

Organisation.

• ISRO has shortlisted 358 high school

students from across the country to

be part of this programme.

• The Program is primarily aimed at

imparting basic knowledge on Space

Technology, Space Science and

Space Applications to the younger

ones with the intent of arousing their

interest in the emerging areas of

Space activities.

• It is proposed to select 3 students

each from each State/ Union Territory

to participate in this programme

covering CBSE, ICSE and State

syllabus.

Stafford Act

US President Donald Trump has declared

a national emergency in the country

invoking the Stafford Act.

• As per this act, the federal

government contributes about 75% to

the cost of relief for states.

• The Act authorises the President

to provide financial and other

assistance to local and state

governments, certain private non-

profit organisations, and individuals

following declaration as a Stafford

Act Emergency (limited) or Major

Disaster.

Eye-opening Facts

Scotland’s proposed law to make sanitary products free for allThe Scottish Parliament recently passed the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill that aims to make sanitary products free for women of all age groups. When passed, Scotland may become the first country in the world to end ‘period poverty’.What is ‘period poverty?

• ‘Period poverty is some circumstances that make menstruation a “difficult experience” for women. • These include homelessness, coercive, controlling and violent relationships and health conditions such as endometriosis. • “Some trans people may also experience difficulties in accessing sanitary products.

March EditionP914 Days news SummaryAgreement for Bringing Peace to AfghanistanSubject: International RelationSub-Topic: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.ContextThe United States signed a historic deal with Taliban insurgents that could pave the way toward a full withdrawal of foreign soldiers from Afghanistan over the next 14 months and represent a step toward ending the 18-year-war there.What is the issue?

• The nearly two-decade-old conflict in Afghanistan that began after the Sept. 11 attacks, killed tens of thousands of people, vexed three White House administrations and left mistrust and uncertainty on all sides.

• The agreement lays out a timetable for the final withdrawal of United States troops from Afghanistan, the impoverished Central Asian country once unfamiliar to many Americans that now symbolizes endless conflict, foreign entanglements and an incubator of terrorist plots.

• The war in Afghanistan in some ways echoes the American experience in Vietnam.

• American efforts to instill a democratic

system in the country, and to improve opportunities for women and minorities, are at risk if the Taliban, which banned girls from schools and women from public life, become dominant again.

• Corruption is still rampant, the country’s institutions are feeble, and the economy is heavily dependent on American and other international aid.

Purpose to Sign Agreement • The agreement signed in Doha, Qatar,

which followed more than a year of stop-and-start negotiations and conspicu-ously excluded the American-backed Afghanistan government, is not a final peace deal, is filled with ambiguity, and could still unravel.

• The war cost $2 trillion and took the lives of more than 3,500 American and coalition troops and tens of thousands of Afghans since the U.S. invasion in the aftermath of Sept 11, 2001.

• But it is seen as a step toward negotiating a more sweeping agreement that some hope could eventually end the insurgency of the Taliban, the militant movement that once ruled Afghanistan under a severe Islamic code.

• The withdrawal of American troops — about 12,000 are still in Afghanistan — is dependent on the Taliban’s fulfillment of major commitments that have been obstacles for years, including its severance of ties with international terrorist groups such as Al Qaeda.

India Reacts Cautiously to US-Taliban Peace Deal

• In a guarded reaction to the peace deal between the US and the Taliban, India said its consistent policy has been to support all opportunities that can bring peace,

security, and stability in Afghanistan and ensure the end of terrorism.

• External Affairs Ministry said India will continue to extend all support to Afghanistan as a contiguous neighbor, in a clear reference that the Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir belongs to India.

• As a contiguous neighbor, India will continue to extend all support to the Government and people of Afghanistan in realizing their aspirations for a peaceful, democratic and prosperous future where the interest of all sections of Afghan society is protected.

• The foreign secretary also conveyed India’s support for enduring and inclusive peace and reconciliation which is Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled.

The World on Peace Deal • Pakistani Foreign Minister said,

“Pakistan had fulfilled its part of the responsibility in terms of facilitating this peace agreement. Pakistan will continue to support a peaceful, stable, united, democratic and prosperous Afghanistan, at peace with itself and with its neighbors.”

• North Atlantic Treaty Organization (Nato), in a statement, said, “Recent progress on peace has ushered in a reduction of violence and paved the way for intra-Afghan negotiations between a fully inclusive Afghan national team and the Taliban to reach a comprehensive peace agreement. We call on the Taliban to embrace this opportunity for peace.”

Indian Ocean CommissionSubject: International RelationSub-Topic: Important International institutionsContextRecently, India has joined as an observer of the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC).About IOC

• IOC is the inter-governmental organisa-tion that coordinates maritime governance in the south-western Indian Ocean.

• The IOC was created in 1982 at Port Louis, Mauritius, and later institution-alised in 1984.

• The Indian Ocean Commission compris-es Seychelles, Madagascar, Comoros, Mauritius, and Reunion island, France’s overseas territory in the region.

• Till now, IOC had four observers – China, Malta, European Union and International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF).

Significance of IOC for India • The decision to join the IOC marks

a part of the government’s push for greater salience in the whole Indian Ocean Region (IOR), including Western or African Indians.

• The IOC is significant for its geographical location, as the islands sit around a “key choke-point” in the Indian Ocean – the Mozambique Channel. This channel is being watched more closely as the U.S.- Iran tensions threaten the Strait of Hormuz.

• Given China’s growing presence in the region, India hopes to increase its naval presence and gain support for

its maritime projects across the Indo-Pacific, beginning at East African shores.

• The move will also lend greater significance to India’s SAGAR (Security and Growth for all in the Region) policy of the Modi administration.

Security and Growth of all in the Region (SAGAR)

• Keeping in line with India’s Prime Minis-ter’s vision towards Security and Growth of all in the Region (SAGAR), the Indian Navy’s Information Fusion Centre (IFC) for the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

• Maritime piracy and maritime terrorism are the two major ways in which non-state actors threaten to jeopardise the security of the maritime domain, with a direct influence on land affairs.

Indian Ocean Rim Countries Cooperation • The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)

was established in March 1997 with a mandate to promote sustainable growth and balanced development in the region.

• The IORA with 20 member States and six observer States is one of the most im-portant regional platforms to carry for-ward the interests of member states to cooperate on development in the region.

A few opportunities emerge that countries in the region must focus on:Governing the seas

• There is increasing evidence that coun-tries with better technical capacities can better harvest, prospect and make eco-nomic largesse from ocean resources—mainly natural resources.

• This has raised the concerns of many experts working on sustainable man-agement of high seas where activities continue to happen without any gover-nance mechanism.

• Only 10 countries globally account for 90 % of patents related to marine genetic resources according to an article pub-lished in Science in 2011.

Designating areas • In 2010, 193 countries that are Parties

to the Convention on Biological Diversity agreed to work on designating biologically and ecologically sensitive areas both in marine areas within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and high seas.

• The Indian Ocean region is rich in marine resources and it is critically important to identify such areas and develop appropriate sub-regional and regional management practices to sustainably manage and use the resources.

The blue economy • The economic potential as well as

realising the benefits from coastal and marine resources constitutes the focus of blue economy debates and policies.

• The seabed currently provides 32 % of the global supply of hydrocarbons, with exploration expanding.

• Seychelles became one of the first countries in the world to create a Department of Blue Economy, with a minister to oversee its role.

Future agenda • Establish an expert committee of

legal and policy experts from member countries to prepare inputs for the legally binding multilateral agreement that is being currently negotiated under the UN.

• Identify options and areas for designating as special ecologically and biologically sensitive areas to ensure such areas receive additional protection and sustainable management provisions.

• IORA needs to consider a special regional cooperation programme on Blue Economy.

• Fourth, IORA member states should develop regional and sub-regional climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies and build the capacities and resilience of people dependent on the oceans for livelihoods.

8. Consider the following

statements:

1. Epidemic diseases refer to the

constant presence and/or usual

prevalence of a disease in a

geographic population.

2. A pandemic disease refers to

an epidemic that has spread

over several countries or

continents, usually affecting a

large number of people.

Select the correct answer using

the code given below.

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Ans: (b)

9. As per recently, passed The

Mineral Laws (Amendment) Bill,

2020in India, which one of the

following statements is correct?

(a) The Bill clarifies that the

companies should possess

at least 5 years prior to coal

mining experience in India

in order to participate in the

auction of coal and lignite

blocks.

(b) Companies will be not

allowed to carry on coal

mining operations for own

consumption, sale or any other

purposes.

(c) The Bill provides that state

governments cannot take

advance action for auction of a

mining lease before its expiry.

(d) Under the MMDR Act, state

governments require prior

approval of the central

government for granting

reconnaissance permit,

prospecting license, or mining

lease for coal and lignite.

Ans: (d)

Sample MCQ’s

March EditionP1014 Days news Summary‘Dholavira and Forts of Deccan Sultanate’ as UnESCO World Heritage ListSubject: Indian Heritage and CultureSub-Topic: Recent development

Freedom in the World 2020 ReportSubject: International RelationSub-Topic: Important International institutions

ContextThe government of India has submitted two nomination dossiers namely ‘Dholavira: A Harappan City’ and ‘Monuments and Forts of Deccan Sultanate’ for inclusion in the World Heritage List for the year 2020.What is UnESCO?

• UNESCO is the United Nations Education-al, Scientific and Cultural Organization.

• It seeks to build peace through interna-tional cooperation in Education, the Sci-ences and Culture.

• UNESCO’s programs contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Devel-opment Goals defined in Agenda 2030, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2015.

• It gives special status to some selected monuments or places knowing their im-portance for the universe and its coming generations.

• The headquarters of UNESCO is located in Paris, France.

Dholavira: A Harappan City • Dholavira is the larger of the two most

ContextRecently, the Freedom in the World 2020 re-port ranks India at the 83rd position, India’s score fell by four points to 71, the worst de-cline among the world’s 25 largest democ-racies this year.About the Report

• Published by Freedom House, a US-based NGO.

• Freedom House is founded on the core conviction that freedom flourishes in democratic nations where governments are accountable to their people.

• Freedom House produces research and reports on a number of core thematic issues related to democracy, political rights, and civil liberties.

A decline in India’s Score • India’s overall score declined from 75 in

2019 to 71 in 2020, with civil liberties taking the biggest hit.

• Only Tunisia has received a lower score than India in the ‘free countries’ category of 85 nations in the current report.

• India’s score was 77 in 2017.

remarkable excavations of the Indus Valley Civilization or Harappan culture, dating back to 4500 years ago.

• Dholavira, known locally as Kotada (which means large fort), sprawls over 100 hectares of semi-arid land at the north-west corner of the island of Khad-ir, one of the islands in the Great Rann of Kutch that remain above the flood-plains in months when the rest of the desert is submerged by the monsoon.

• Dholavira has two seasonal nallahs, or streams: Mansar in the north, and Man-har in the south.

• The site was unearthed by the Archeo-logical Survey of India (ASI) in 1967, but has been systematically excavated only since 1990.

• Artifacts include terracotta pottery, beads, gold and copper ornaments, seals, fish hooks, animal figurines, tools, urns, and some imported vessels that indicate trade links with lands as far away as Mesopotamia.

• Also found were 10 large stone inscrip-tions, carved in Indus Valley script, per-haps the world’s earliest signboard.

• These are among the most important dis-coveries about the Indus Valley Civilization, but remain tantalizingly undeciphered.

Monuments and Forts of the Deccan Sul-tanate

• Indo-Islamic architecture flourished in the Provinces or States each according to the influence of the architecture of that particular region, the material available and the aesthetic ideas of the rulers.

• Some of the important styles evolved are those of Bengal, Gujarat, Malwa, and the Deccan.

• The plan and design of the monuments in Bengal are very much like the Islamic buildings in other parts of the country but their distinct features are the materials

used in construction and the local influence in decoration.

• The use of brick and glazed colored tiles mark the earlier buildings. Stone has been used in later monuments.

• Some of the buildings of note built while the kingdom was under the Delhi Sultans are the Adina Masjid built by Sikandar Shah between 1357-93 A.D. and the Dakhil Darwaza, a ceremonial gateway, at Gaur built by Barbak Shah between 1459-74 A.D.

• Rauda of Rani Sipri, Ahmedabad ♦ The Mosque and Rauda of Rani

Sipri was built in 1514 A.D. by Rani Sa-brai during the reign of Sultan Muzaffar II.

♦ Rauda is a combination of both Islamic and Hindu styles.

♦ It has a square tomb chamber with twenty pillars and an inner square with twelve pillars.

♦ The tomb is enclosed by a perforated stone screen.

• The monuments of Malwa are a combination of the Khilji, Tughlak and Lodi constructions with some of the local features added on, i.e. high platforms with flights of steps, the use of colored stones, arches, carved brackets supporting the windows and perforated screens.

• The Jami Masjid ♦ The Jami Masjid is a majestic

building and is said to have been designed on the pattern of the Great Mosque at Damascus.

♦ Started by Hoshang Shah, it was completed by Mahmud Khilji in 1454 A.D. it stands on a 5 meters high platform and is approached by a flight of steps.

• Bahamani architecture is seen at its best in the monuments of Bijapur.

What are the Reasons for Decline in Score of India?

• The Indian government has taken its Hindu nationalist agenda to a new level with a succession of policies that abro-gate the rights of different segments of its Muslim population, threatening the democratic future of a country long seen as a potential bulwark of freedom in Asia and the world.

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dis-criminatory actions against Muslims, and a fierce crackdown on protesters oppos-ing the changes, indicated a deterioration of basic freedoms in the world’s largest democracy,” the report states. This con-tributed to the four-point decline.

• The report, which treats Kashmir as a separate territory, downgraded the Union territory’s status from “partly free” to “not free” due to the Indian government’s abrupt revocation of Article 370 in Au-gust, “the dissolution of its local elected institutions, and a security crackdown that sharply curtailed civil liberties and included mass arrests of local politicians and activists”.

• As a result, Kashmir experienced one of the five largest single-year score de-clines of the past 10 years in Freedom in the World, and its freedom status dropped to Not Free.

• These three actions have shaken the rule of law in India and threatened the sec-ular and inclusive nature of its political system.

• While India continues to earn a Free rat-ing and held successful elections last spring, the BJP has distanced itself from

the country’s founding commitment to pluralism and individual rights, without which democracy cannot long survive.

• The report noted that India has long been seen as a democratic counterweight to China and hence a strategic partner for the United States in the region. However, that view is changing, with India attract-ing criticism similar to that levied against China.

Internet freedom • In terms of internet freedom, India fares

worse, scoring just 55 and is categorised as “partly free”.

• As per the report, internet freedom has declined for the fourth year in a row in India.

• Plagued by the spread of disinformation and its violent effects offline, the government proposed worrisome new rules that would undermine freedom online.

• Data protection and surveillance issues remained of key concern to Indians during the coverage period; controversies also continued around Aadhaar, the world’s largest biometric identification system, and a problematic draft data protection bill remained in limbo.

• It also highlights the spread of fake news and manipulated content, creating a political divide.

• The internet shutdown in Kashmir has no doubt, contributed to India’s performance in terms of internet freedom.

SnIPPETSEmergency covid-19 fund

for Saarc nations

India pledged $10 million toward a

Covid-19 emergency fund for a rapid

response team of doctors and specialists

for South Asian Association for Regional

Cooperation (Saarc) nations as part of an

initiative led by Prime Minister of India.

It will be an emergency fund based on

voluntary contributions from all SAARC

members.

• The member states are Afghanistan,

Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives,

Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.

• It has a permanent secretariat in

Kathmandu, Nepal.

Medical Termination of

Pregnancy (Amendment)

Bill, 2020

Recently the Medical Termination of

Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, 2020, which

seeks to amend the MTP Act, 1971, was

passed in LokSabha.

• It seeks to extend the upper limit for

permitting abortions from 20 weeks

to 24 under special circumstances.

• The “special categories of women”

include rape survivors, victims of

incest, the differently-abled and

minors.

• The Bill proposes requirement of

opinion of one registered medical

practitioner (RMP) for termination

of pregnancy up to 20 weeks of

gestation.

• It also provides for the requirement of

opinion of two RMPs for termination

of pregnancy of 20 to 24 weeks.

March EditionP1114 Days news SummaryThe Supreme Court Lifts the Ban on Crypto-CuurenciesSubject: Indian EconomySub-Topic: Economic Development

ContextRecently, the Supreme Court sets aside the RBI ban on cryptocurrency transactions.What is the Issue?

• A three-judge bench of the Supreme Court set aside a controversial circular issued by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) that prohibited any entity from providing banking services to anyone dealing with virtual or cryptocurrencies.

• The apex court did so on the grounds that this prohibition, which applied to all RBI-regulated institutions, was not proportionate.

• Even though the celebration amongst the technology community on social media continues, the judgment itself appears to be a case of the RBI losing the battle but winning the war.

• In order to holistically assess the impact of this case, it is important to examine the broader questions that the Court answers, and what these answers mean for the future of virtual currencies in India.

What are Cryptocurrencies? • Virtual currencies, or cryptocurrencies, as

they are usually called, are virtual tokens which can be used to conduct transactions within specialised encrypted networks.

• Bitcoin, which is perhaps the most infamous of these cryptocurrencies, for example, operates on a blockchain.

• A blockchain is a decentralised ledger which relies on every transaction being simultaneously validated by every node of the network based on the integrity of the chain of preceding transactions, while encryption prevents others from viewing the substance of individual transactions – thereby ensuring a reliable, accessible record which is not in the control of a single point of failure while also ensuring the privacy of users.

• As such, cryptocurrencies are often hailed as the model that may successfully mount a challenge to centrally controlled economic systems, which has been a persistent objective of the libertarian impulses of the technology community.

What are the Issues with Cryptocurrencies? • There are serious issues with

cryptocurrencies which have drawn the ire of regulators worldwide:

♦ The privacy and anonymity offered by cryptocurrencies empowers money laundering and the financing of terrorism;

♦ The systems on which such cryptocurrencies operate are not reliable enough to uphold a system of exchange at scale; and

♦ The tremendous volatility of the value of cryptocurrencies worldwide makes it unsuitable for integration within the larger economy.

• Regulators, consequently, approach cryp-

tocurrencies from a position of emboldened skepticism and begrudging acceptance.

• Along these fault-lines, the key question remains one of whether the system of cryptocurrencies will be allowed to operate outside of central control without being severed from the banking sector and rendered illusory, an arrangement that might move towards the alternate system of economic exchange that enthusiasts have dreamed of – or whether the financial system of the nation-state will exercise its regulatory powers over virtual currencies in a manner that undermines its primary function of decentralising exchange.

Implementation of Virtual Currencies • The Centre is yet to implement a

regulation or put in place a monitoring mechanism on virtual currencies.

• Last year, an inter-ministerial panel set up by the government on virtual currencies had proposed banning of private cryptocurrencies, barring any digital currency issued by the government by enacting a law and imposing fines and penalties, including jail-term, for trading in cryptocurrency.

• The panel comprising officials from the finance ministry’s department of eco-nomic affairs, the ministry of information technology, and RBI finalized a report and a draft bill, Banning of Cryptocurrency and Regulation of Official Digital Curren-cy Bill, 2019, on virtual currencies.

• However, it is yet to be implemented. “It is yet to be seen how lawmakers and the government go ahead and adopt a legal framework for regulating the trade of cryptocurrencies in India.

Mineral Laws (Amendment) Bill 2020Subject: Polity and governanceSub-Topic: Bill and ordinanceContextParliament passed The Mineral Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2020 for amendments in Mines & Mineral (Development and Regula-tion) Act 1957 and The Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015.What are the Provisions of the Bill?

• Removal of restriction on end-use of coal:

♦ Currently, companies acquiring Schedule II and Schedule III coal mines through auctions can use the coal produced only for specified end-uses such as power generation and steel production.

♦ The Bill removes this restriction on the use of coal mined by such companies. Companies will be allowed to carry on coal mining operations for own consumption, sale or any other purposes, as may be specified by the central government.

• Eligibility for auction of coal and lignite blocks:

♦ The Bill clarifies that the companies need not possess any prior coal mining experience in India to participate in the auction of coal and lignite blocks.

♦ Further, the competitive bidding process for auction of coal and lignite blocks will not apply to mines considered for allotment too:

(i) a government company or its joint venture for own consumption, sale or any other specified purpose; and

(ii) a company that has been awarded a power project based on a competitive bid for the tariff.

• Composite license for prospecting and mining:

♦ Currently, separate licenses are provided for prospecting and mining of coal and lignite, called prospecting license, and mining lease, respectively.

♦ Prospecting includes exploring, locating, or finding mineral deposits.

♦ The Bill adds a new type of license, called prospecting license-cum-mining lease. This will be a composite license providing for both prospecting and mining activities.

• non-exclusive reconnaissance permit holders to get other licenses:

♦ Currently, the holders of non-exclusive reconnaissance permits for exploration of certain specified minerals are not entitled to obtain a prospecting license or mining lease.

♦ Reconnaissance means preliminary prospecting of a mineral through certain surveys.

♦ The Bill provides that the holders of such permits may apply for a prospecting license-cum-mining lease or mining lease. This will apply to certain licensees as prescribed in the Bill.

• Transfer of statutory clearances to new bidders:

♦ Currently, upon expiry, mining leases for specified minerals (minerals other than coal, lignite, and atomic minerals) can be transferred to new persons through auction.

♦ This new lessee is required to obtain statutory clearances before starting mining operations.

♦ The Bill provides that the various approvals, licenses, and clearances given to the previous lessee will be extended to the successful bidder for two years.

♦ During this period, the new lessee will be allowed to continue mining operations. However, the new lessee must obtain all the required clearances within these two years.

• Reallocation after the termination of the allocations:

♦ The CMSP Act provides for the termination of allotment orders of coal mines in certain cases.

♦ The Bill adds that such mines may be reallocated through auction or allotment as may be determined by the central government.

♦ The central government will appoint a designated custodian to manage these mines until they are reallocated.

• Prior approval from the central government: ♦ Under the MMDR Act, state govern-

ments require prior approval of the central government for granting recon-naissance permit, prospecting license, or mining lease for coal and lignite.

♦ The Bill provides that prior approval of the central government will not be required in granting these licenses for coal and lignite, in certain cases.

♦ include cases where: (i) the allocation has been done by

the central government, and the mining block has been reserved to conserve a mineral.

• Advance action for auction: ♦ Under the MMDR Act, mining leases

for specified minerals (minerals other than coal, lignite, and atomic minerals) are auctioned on the expiry of the lease period.

♦ The Bill provides that state governments can take advance action for auction of a mining lease before its expiry.

10. Consider the following

statements about the Epidemic

Diseases Act 1897:

1. To contain the spread of

COVID-19, the government of

India invoked Section 2 of the

1897 Epidemic Diseases Act.

2. The Epidemic Diseases Act,

1897 is a law that was very

first enacted to tackle bubonic

plague in Bombay state in

colonial India.

3. Any person disobeying any

regulation or order made under

this Act shall be deemed to

have committed an offence

punishable under section 188

of the Indian Penal Code (45 of

1860).

Which of the statements given

above are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 or 2

Ans: (d)

11. Consider the following

statements regarding the Central

Sanskrit Universities Bill, 2019-

1. The Prime minister of Indiamay

appoint persons to review and

inspect the functioning of the

University.

2. The Bill is intended to convert

India’s three deemed-to-

be Sanskrit universities into

Central Sanskrit Universities.

Which of the statements given

above are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 or 2

Ans: (a)

Sample MCQ’s

March EditionP12

March EditionP13

March EditionP1414 days nEWS AnALYSISAbout this Section

The ’14 Days News Analysis’section covers detailed analysis of the current issues of the fortnight.

News that has multi-dimensional impact on different sectors of the society, economy, polity are covered under this section.

Each article has been designed from a perspective of WHAT, WHY, WHO, WHEN and HOW. This will help cover 3600 dimension of the topic.

Sources: The Hindu, Indian Express, Livemint, Business Line, Yojana and Kurukshetra Magazine, Government Reports, etc.

ContextRecently, thirty-six major changes to the global indicator framework for the Sustain-able Development Goals (SDGs) were ap-proved and adopted by the United Nations Statistical Commission (UNSC).What is the Issue?

• United Nations Statistical Commission (UNSC), at its 51st session that conclud-ed in New York made thirty-six major changes in global indicator framework for the SDGs.

• These changes are based on the ‘2020 comprehensive review’ conducted by the UN Inter-Agency and Expert Group on SDG Indicators (IAEG-SDGs) and presented to the UNSC on the first day of the three-day session, according to an official statement.

• The revised global framework will have 231 indicators, approximately the same number as in the original framework.

• When a total of 13.6 per cent of young people globally are unemployed, sus-tainable tourism could be an important source of employment and an important indicator under the SDGs.

• But the indicator 8.9.2 on the proportion of jobs in sustainable tourism industries out of total tourism jobs have been deleted by the UNSC from the global SDG framework. Speakers present at the session voiced their concern on the deletion of this indicator.

• The global indicator framework was adopted by the UN General Assembly on July 6, 2017.

About Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)What are the sustainable development goals?

• The sustainable development goals (SDGs) are a new, universal set of goals, targets and indicators that UN member states will be expected to use to frame their agendas and political policies over the next 15 years.

• The SDGs follow and expand on the millennium development goals (MDGs), which were agreed by governments in 2001 and are due to expire at the end of this year.

Why do we need another set of goals? • There is broad agreement that, while

the MDGs provided a focal point for governments – a framework around which they could develop policies and overseas aid programmes designed to end poverty and improve the lives of poor people – as well as a rallying point for NGOs to hold them to account, they were too narrow.

• The eight MDGs – ♦ Reduce poverty and hunger; ♦ Achieve universal education; ♦ Promote gender equality; ♦ Reduce child and maternal deaths; ♦ Combat HIV, malaria and other

diseases; ♦ Ensure environmental sustainability; ♦ Develop global partnerships

– failed to consider the root causes of poverty and overlooked gender inequality as well as the holistic nature of development.

• The goals made no mention of human rights and did not specifically address economic development.

• While the MDGs, in theory, applied to all countries, in reality, they were considered targets for poor countries to achieve, with finance from wealthy states.

Sustainable Development Goals: 36 Changes in Global Indicator Framework

Eight additional indicators were added across six SDG goals — 2, 3, 4, 10, 13 and 16. These include:

• Indicator 13.2.2 on the total greenhouse gas emissions per year for the SDG target 13.2 to integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.

• Prevalence of anaemia in women aged 15-49 years, by pregnancy status (percentage) under the target 2.2 to end forms of malnutrition by 2030.

• A new indicator on reducing the percentage of bloodstream infections due to selected antimicrobial-resistant organisms has been added under the Global health goal (SDG 3).

• Indicator 10.7.3 on the number of migrants killed while attempting to cross maritime, land and air borders.

• Indicator 10.7.4 on the proportion of the population who are refugees, by country of origin.

Six indicators across six SDG goals — 1, 4, 8, 11, 13 and 17 — have been deleted. These include:

• Indicator 1.a.1 on the proportion of domestically-generated resources allocated by the government directly to poverty reduction programmes.

• Indicator 4.2.1 on the proportion of chil-dren under five years of age who are de-velopmentally on track in health, learning and psychosocial well-being, by sex.

• The portion of the indicator that measures progress for children between 0 and 23 months of age, which is currently in tier III was proposed for deletion by the IAEG.

• Under the SDG goal on combating climate change, the indicator 13.3.2, quantifying the number of countries that have com-municated the strengthening of capaci-ty-building for implementing adaptation, mitigation and technology transfer, and development actions have been deleted.

Subject: Ecology and Environment Sub-Topic: Sustainable Development

• Conversely, every country will be expected to work towards achieving the SDGs.

• As the MDG deadline approaches, about 1 billion people still live on less than $1.25 a day – the World Bank measure on poverty – and more than 800 million people do not have enough food to eat.

• Women are still fighting hard for their rights, and millions of women still die in childbirth.

What are the proposed 17 goals?1. no Poverty: End poverty in all its forms

everywhere.2. Zero Hunger: End hunger, achieve food

security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture.

3. Good Health and Well-Being: Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages.

4. Quality Education: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

5. Gender Equality: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls.

6. Clean Water and Sanitation: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

7. Affordable and Clean Energy: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.

8. Decent Work and Economic Growth: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustain-able economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.

9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastruc-ture: Build resilient infrastructure, pro-mote inclusive and sustainable industri-alisation, and foster innovation.

10. Reduced Inequalities:Reduce inequality within and among countries.

11. Sustainable Cities and Communities: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

12. Responsible Consumption and Pro-duction: Ensure sustainable consump-tion and production patterns.

13. Climate Action: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts (taking note of agreements made by the UNFCCC forum).

14. Life below Water: Conserve and sus-tainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.

15. Life on Land: Protect, restore and pro-mote sustainable use of terrestrial eco-systems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification and halt and re-verse land degradation, and halt biodi-versity loss.

16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: Promote peaceful and inclusive societ-ies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effec-tive, accountable and inclusive institu-tions at all levels.

17. Partnerships for the Goals: Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development.

March EditionP1514 days nEWS AnALYSIS

ContextRecently, the Uttar Pradesh Recovery of Damage to Public and Private Property Or-dinance was promulgated by the governor of Uttar Pradesh.What is the Issue?

• The Uttar Pradesh government has promulgated a new ordinance granting wide powers to a new claims tribunal for collecting compensation from people accused of vandalism, even without giving them a chance to place their defense.

• The Allahabad High Court asked the Uttar Pradesh government to file a reply in the recovery of damages ordinance brought by it.

• The court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation challenging the Uttar Pradesh Recovery of Damage to Public and Private Property Ordinance, 2020, notified by the government after the Cabinet passed the proposal.

• According to learned counsels, provisions of the ordinance shall allow the persons to be viral for the public at large as criminals without their adjudication for any criminal charge.

• The ordinance as per learned counsels is also in contravention to the law laid down by the apex court in the Rojer Mathew Vs. South Indian Bank Limited 2019 SCC Online SC 1456.

• The order so notes that the petitioners further submitted that the field wherein the ordinance of 2020 is sought to be operated is already occupied and exhausted by the Central enactments, Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act, 1984.

• The ordinance provides for collecting compensation ex-parte i.e. even without giving a hearing to the person accused of vandalism.

• It is being criticized because the state has a track record of booking people, for vandalism and initiating stringent action against them without proper investigation or hearing.

About the new Law • The new law gives sweeping powers to

the tribunal and seeks to insulate it from interventions of the courts, which have of late pulled up the state government for its actions.

• Very recently, the Allahabad high court ordered the government to remove the “name and shame” posters it had put up of several anti-Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) protesters.

An attempt to sidestep HC ruling • Incidentally, the new law has come four

days after Supreme Court refused to stay the Allahabad high court’s order for removing the “name and shame” posters.

• The new law has been brought just a day before the deadline given by the HC to implement its order.

• The Allahabad high court had stated in its ruling: “On asking, learned Advocate General failed to satisfy us as to why the personal data of few persons have been placed on banners though in the State of Uttar Pradesh there are lakhs of accused persons who are facing serious allegations aboutthe commission of crimes whose personal details have not been subjected to publicity.

• The placement of personal data of selected persons reflects the colorable exercise of powers by the Executive.”

• It had added that “in the present case, the cause is not about personal injury caused to the persons whose personal details

to prove their innocence and that they

had no “nexus” with those involved in

the protest, hartal, strike, bandh, riot

or public commotion during which any

destruction of public or private property

was caused.

• Without specifying the nature of this

‘nexus’, the law also states that it would

be assumed that “the nexus with the

event that precipitated the damage is

established”.

• It also lays down that while liability will

be borne by the “actual perpetrators of

the crime”, anyone who “instigates” or

“incites” the crime would share it as per

the decision of the claims tribunal.

• The tribunal will be headed by a retired

district judge and may include a member

of the rank of additional commissioner.

What else has been approved by the cab-inet

• Apart from the property damage and

recovery ordinance, the state cabinet

also approved the construction of multi-

story parking in the Allahabad High Court,

three-tier security arrangements in the

courts, uniformity in the construction of

police lines, barracks, police stations and

fire stations in the state.

• The cabinet also cleared the proposal of

renovating 23 bus stations on the PPP

model and creation of consolidated sinking

funds based on the recommendations by

the central finance commission and state

accountant general.

• The ordinance, while empowering the

tribunal the power to proceed ex-parte

if the respondent fails to appear, does not

consider any exceptions such as failure

to serve the notice to the respondent.

UP Property Damage Ordinanceare given in the banner but the injury caused to the precious constitutional value and its shameless depiction by the administration.”

Ordinance tries to make tribunal ruling binding

• The ordinance tries to make the orders of the tribunal binding by stating that the award of compensation made by it will be final and cannot be appealed before any civil court.

• Furthermore, the new law provides for setting up of one or more tribunals to “investigate the damage caused (during protests) and to award compensation”.

• It also empowers these to cover the “cost of action” taken by police and administration for safeguarding public properties.

• It also allows forming multiple tribunals for a single event to ensure that the proceedings are closed “preferably within three months”.

• There is also a provision to appoint an assessor “who is technically qualified to assess such damage from a panel appointed by the state government”.

• Moreover, the law empowers the tribunals to issue ex-parte orders.

• The ordinance states that the tribunals will have the power to proceed ex-parte if the respondent fails to appear.

• Also, no concessions would be made for pleas if there was a failure to serve the notice on the respondent.

The onus of proof will on those accused of vandalism

• As in draconian laws like Terrorist and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act (TADA), Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) and Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) in the past, under this ordinance too, those accused of vandalism would be required

Subject: Polity and GovernanceSub-Topic: Bill and ordinance

FROM PAGE TWO

Black Carbon Levels Spike at Himalayan Glaciers • When suspended in the atmosphere,

black carbon contributes to warming by converting incoming solar radiation to heat.

• It also influences cloud formation and impacts regional circulation and rainfall patterns.

• When deposited on ice and snow, black carbon and co-emitted particles reduce surface albedo (the ability to reflect sunlight) and heat the surface.

• The Arctic and glaciated regions such as the Himalayas are particularly vulnerable to melting as a result.

Health Impacts • Black carbon and its co-pollutants

are key components of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) air pollution, the leading environmental cause of poor health and premature deaths.

• At 2.5 micrometres or smaller in diameter, these particles are, many times smaller than a grain of table salt, which allows them to penetrate into the deepest regions of the lungs and facilitate the transport of toxic compounds into the bloodstream.

March EditionP1614 Days news SummaryRupees 1.70 Lakh Crore Relief Package under

Pradhan Mantri Garib kalyan Yojana

ContextThe Union Finance & Corporate Affairs Minister announced Rs 1.70 Lakh Crore relief package under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana for the poor to help them fight the battle against Corona Virus. These measures are intended at reaching out to the poorest of the poor, with food and money in hands, so that they do not face difficulties in buying essential supplies and meeting essential needs.”Pradhan Mantri Garib kalyan Package I. Insurance scheme for health workers

fighting COVID-19 in Government Hospitals and Health Care Centres

• Safai karamcharis, ward-boys, nurses, ASHA workers, paramedics, technicians, doctors and specialists and other health workers would be covered by a Special insurance Scheme.

• Any health professional, who while treating Covid-19 patients, meet with some accident, then he/she would be compensated with an amount of Rs 50

lakh under the scheme. • All government health centres, wellness

centres and hospitals of Centre, as well as States, would be covered under this scheme approximately 22 lakh health workers would be provided insurance cover to fight this pandemic.

II. PM Garib kalyan Ann Yojana • Government of India would not allow

anybody, especially any poor family, to suffer on account of non-availability of foodgrains due to disruption in the next three months.

• 80 crore individuals, i.e, roughly two-thirds of India’s population would be covered under this scheme.

• Each one of them would be provided double of their current entitlement over the next three months.

• This additionality would be free of cost. • To ensure adequate availability of protein

to all the above-mentioned individuals, 1 kg per family would be provided pulses according to regional preferences for the next three months.

• These pulses would be provided free of cost by the Government of India.

III. Under Pradhan Mantri Garib kalyan Yojana

Benefit to farmers: • The first instalment of Rs 2,000 due in

2020-21 will be front-loaded and paid in April 2020 itself under the PM KISAN Yojana.

• It would cover 8.7 crore farmers.IV. Cash transfers Under PM Garib kalyan

Yojana:

Help to Poor: • A total of 20.40 crores PMJDY women

account-holders would be given an ex-gratia of Rs 500 per month for the next three months.

Gas cylinders: • Under PM Garib Kalyan Yojana, gas

cylinders, free of cost, would be provided to 8 crore poor families for the next three months.

Help to low wage earners in organised sectors:

• Wage-earners below Rs 15,000 per month in businesses having less than 100 workers are at risk of losing their employment.

Eye-opening FactsIndia-U.S. Military Cooperation Group (MCG)

The India-U.S. Military Cooperation Group (MCG) dialogue has been cancelled because of the COVID-9 outbreak.

What is MCG?

• The MCG is a forum to review the progress of defence cooperation between India’s Integrated Defence Staff and the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) at the strategic and operational levels.

• The Integrated Defence Staff was responsible for coordination among the armed forces before the appointment of the Chief of Defence Staff.

Subject: Polity and governanceSub-Topic: Governance

• Under this package, the government proposes to pay 24 percent of their monthly wages into their PF accounts for the next three months.

• This would prevent disruption in their employment.

Support for senior citizens (above 60 years), widows and Divyang:

• There are around 3 crore aged widows and people in Divyang category who are vulnerable due to economic disruption caused by COVID-19.

• The government will give them Rs 1,000 to tide over difficulties during the next three months.

MNREGA • Under PM Garib Kalyan Yojana, MNREGA

wages would be increased by Rs 20 with effect from 1 April 2020. Wage increase under MNREGA will provide an additional Rs 2,000 benefit annually to a worker.

• This will benefit approximately 13.62 crore families.

V. Self-Help groups: • Women organised through 63 lakh Self

Help Groups (SHGs) support 6.85 crore households.

• Limit of collateral-free lending would be increased from Rs 10 to Rs 20 lakhs.

VI. Other components of PM Garib kalyan package

Organised sector: • Employees’ Provident Fund Regulations

will be amended to include Pandemic as the reason to allow the non-refundable advance of 75 percent of the amount or three months of the wages, whichever is lower, from their accounts.

• Families of four crore workers registered under EPF can take benefit of this window.

Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Fund:

• Welfare Fund for Building and Other Constructions Workers has been created under a Central Government Act.

• There are around 3.5 Crore registered workers in the Fund.

• State Governments will be given directions to utilise this fund to provide assistance and support to these workers to protect them against economic disruptions.

District Mineral Fund • The State Government will be asked to

utilise the funds available under District Mineral Fund (DMF) for supplementing and augmenting facilities of medical testing, screening and other requirements in connection with preventing the spread of CVID-19 pandemic as well as treating the patients affected with this pandemic.