Current Affairs Daily Voice Notes

Spotlight/News Analysis (13 March 2017):

• Topic of Discussion: Discussion on impact of five state assembly election results on national politics
• Expert Panel:  Shekhar Aiyar ( Political Analyst), Nikunj Garg ( Journalist)

(VIDEO) Lok Sabha TV : Insight Discussion "'Dawood Lives In Karachi & Trouble For Actor Ramya "

Topic of Discussion: Dawood Lives In Karachi & Trouble For Actor Ramya

(VIDEO) Rajya Sabha TV : ''South Asia & Trump | What Sharif's claims & US response indicate?"

• Topic of Discussion: South Asia & Trump | What Sharif's claims & US response indicate?

Expert Panel Members:

• Bharat Bhushan, (Editor Catch News)
• Prof. S.D. Muni, (Foreign Affairs Expert)
• Vivek Katju, (Former Ambassador)
• Kapil Kak, (Air Vice Marshal (Retd), Defence Expert)

Anchor: Frank Pereira

Sample Material of Our Online Coaching Programme

Subject: Polity

Topic: Delimitation of Constituencies

Buy GS Paper 1 Study Kit in Hard Copy

For Full Material Join Online Crash Course for UPSC PRE Exam

Delimitation literally means the act or process of fixing limits or boundaries of territorial constituencies in  a country or a province having a legislative body. The need for periodical delimitation is the, rise in population and the migration of people. The rise in the population has caused an enormous growth in the electorate. Urban constituencies facing constant pressure of population migration had witnessed a faster rate of increase in the electorate as compared to other constituencies. It is to be noted that Lok Sabha constituencies such as Outer Delhi and East Delhi had an electorate of 31 lakhs and 23 lakhs, while the average electorate for a Lok Sabha constituency was about 13 lakhs upto the l4th Lok Sahha elections in 2004. In Delhi, Chandni  Chowk  Lok Sabha constituency had less than four lakhs electorate.

सामान्य अध्ययन ऑनलाइन प्रशिक्षण कार्यक्रम का (Sample Material)

विषय: भारत और विश्व का भूगोल

पृथ्वी का आंतरिक भाग

पूर्ण सामग्री के लिए ऑनलाइन कोचिंग मे शामिल हो

हार्ड कॉपी (Hard Copy) में जीएस पेपर 1 (GS Paper - 1) अध्ययन किट खरीदने के लिए यहां क्लिक करें

पृथ्वी की आन्तरिक संरचना के बारे में मनुष्य का ज्ञान अभी तक सीमित ही है। इस सम्बन्ध में हमें अधिकांश ज्ञान परोक्ष रूप से प्राप्त हुआ है।

Current Affairs Daily Voice Notes

Spotlight/News Analysis (14 March 2017):

• Topic of Discussion: Discussion on campaign for open defecation free nation
• Expert Panel:  V K Chaurasia ( Joint Advisor, Ministry of Urban Development), Aarti Dhar ( Journalist)

Daily Answer Writing Challenge for UPSC Mains General Studies (14 March 2017)

Write and Discuss Your Answer with Q.No in Comment Box at the Bottom of Post.

General Studies - I "Syllabus Topic – Post- Independence India"

1. “New India” needs is an escalation of denominational politics t hat raises unnecessary passions and subverts the developmental agenda. Discuss

• Source: The Hindu
   

General Studies - II "Syllabus Topic – International Relations”

2. China is projecting the One Belt, One Road (OBOR) initiative as a replacement for the U.S.-led post-1950 multilateral institutions. Comment.

• Source: The Hindu
   

General Studies - III "Syllabus Topic- Security"

3. Firm’s internal ban on wearing “any political, philosophical or religious sign” does not constitute “direct discrimination”. Discuss

• Source: The Hindu
   

General Studies - IV "Syllabus Topic – Probity in Governance"

4. An opinion poll is an inadequate tool to comprehend democratic spirit. Examine

• Source: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude for Civil Services Examination By P. N. Roy Chowdhury, G. Subba Rao

Write Your Answer in Comment Box at Bottom of this Page.

Click Here to Join General Studies Test Series for IAS Mains Examination 2017

Current Affairs MCQ for UPSC Exams – 12 March 2017

Q1 - Contempt power of Supreme Court are for which of the following?

1. Contempt of Supreme Court
2. Contempt of High Court
3. Contempt of itself by Supreme Court Judge

A. 1, 2 only
B. 2, 3 only
C. 1, 3 only
D. All

Current Affairs for IAS Exams - 12 March 2017

:: National ::

BJP wins crucial states of UP and Uttarakhand

• In what is regarded as a ringing endorsement of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, voters handed the BJP a three-fourths majority in both India’s most populous State, Uttar Pradesh, and the neighbouring hill State of Uttarakhand.
• The BJP took 312 of the 403 Assembly seats in U.P., and its allies another 13 seats; in Uttarakhand, it won 57 of the 70 seats at stake.
• Goa and Manipur delivered fractured mandates as the Congress fell short of the halfway mark in both States. In Goa, the party tallied 17 seats in the 40-member Assembly, with the BJP close behind at 13.
• The Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party were on Saturday poised for a power tussle in Goa and Manipur with both the States throwing up a fractured verdict.
• While in Goa the Congress won 17 seats in an Assembly of 40, in Manipur the party got 28 seats in a 60-member House. The BJP was close behind with 13 and 21 in Goa and Manipur respectively.
• Given the scenario, smaller parties hold the key to government formation. In Manipur, political observers said despite the Congress being tantalisingly close to the majority mark of 31, it would be advantage BJP.
• The National People’s Party (NPP) and the Naga People’s Front (NPF) have won four seats each and both are inclined towards the BJP.

Current Affairs MCQ for UPSC Exams – 14 March 2017

Q.1- Which of the following is/are purpose for which Shanghai cooperation organisation was formed?

1. For the enhancement of trade between the member countries.
2. To counter the Islamic terrorism.

A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both
D. None

Q.2- Which of the following is/ are correct regarding payment banks?

1. No deposition is allowed in payment banks
2. Only individuals are allowed to operate in payment banks

A. 1 only
B. 2 only
C. Both
D. None

Current Affairs for IAS Exams - 14 March 2017

:: National ::

All curbs on withdrawal due to demonetisation lifted by RBI

• Restrictions on cash withdrawals, which came into effect from November 9, 2016, following the ban on high-value currency notes, were lifted. The RBI announced the easing of curbs during its bimonthly monetary policy review on February 8.

• While the limits on current accounts were lifted earlier, restrictions on savings account deposits were lifted. Though there will be no limit on cash withdrawals, currency in circulation is still far below the pre-November 8, 2016, levels.

• Following the decision to withdraw the legal tender status of Rs. 500 and Rs. 1,000 notes, 86.9% of the currency in circulation was rendered invalid, amounting Rs. 15.4 lakh crore.

• According to RBI data, the currency in circulation till the week ended March 3 was Rs. 11,984.1 billion which is 67% of the currency in circulation, pre-demonetisation.

• The decision to withdraw high value notes was aimed at eliminating corruption, black money, counterfeit currency and terror funding.

• According to a recent study by the Reserve Bank of India staff in the monetary policy department, about 78% of all consumer payments in India are effected in cash.

• “It was, therefore, obvious that currency squeeze during the demonetisation period would have had some adverse impact on economic activity, although such impact was expected to be transient,” the study observed.

China says India and Pak entry into SCO will help security of region

• China hoped the admission of India and Pakistan into the Beijing-led Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) security grouping will contribute to security and stability in the region.

• Currently, all sides are going through relevant legal procedures in accordance with the Memorandum of Obligations signed at last year’s SCO summit at Tashkent to admit India and Pakistan, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said.

• “Both India and Pakistan are China’s important neighbours and important countries in South Asia. China hopes that India and Pakistan can enhance mutual trust and improve relations through more dialogues,” she added.

Almost 20,000 women and children were victims of human trafficking in India in 2016 (Register and Login to read Full News)

Manohar Parrikar to be sworn in as Goa Chief Minister (Register and Login to read Full News)

:: International ::

China looking for massive navy presence

• China is set to rapidly expand its marine corps and the Navy in anticipation of the development of its Maritime Silk Road (MSR), which covers the Pakistani port of Gwadar, and Djibouti in the Horn of Africa.

• Some of the Chinese marines would be stationed at Djibouti in the Horn of Africa, and the Pakistani port of Gwadar, the starting point of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

• Besides its original missions of a possible war with Taiwan, maritime defence in the East and South China seas, it’s also foreseeable that the PLA Navy’s mission will expand overseas.

• It includes protection of China’s national security in the Korean peninsula, the country’s maritime lifelines, as well as offshore supply deports like in Djibouti and Gwadar port in Pakistan.

• The SCMP report said that two brigades of special combat soldiers had already been moved to the marines, nearly doubling its size to 20,000.

Free E-Book: IAS Pre General Studies (Paper - 1) Previous 5 Years Question Papers

• UPSC, IAS Pre General Studies (Paper - 1) - 2016
• UPSC, IAS Pre General Studies (Paper - 1) - 2015
• UPSC, IAS Pre General Studies (Paper - 1) - 2014
• UPSC, IAS Pre General Studies (Paper - 1) - 2013
• UPSC, IAS Pre General Studies (Paper - 1) - 2012

(VIDEO) Lok Sabha TV : Insight Discussion "Task Force On Olympics To Be Set Up & The GM Crops Debate"

Topic of Discussion: Task Force On Olympics To Be Set Up & The GM Crops Debate

(VIDEO) Rajya Sabha TV : ''Govt formation in Goa and Manipur: Constitution & Political practices"

• Topic of Discussion: Govt formation in Goa and Manipur: Constitution & Political practices

Expert Panel Members:

• Balmiki Prasad Singh, (Former Governor)
• Sanjay Hegde, (Sr Advocate, Supreme Court)
• Vinod Sharma, (Political Editor, Hindustan Times)
• Yogendra Narain, (Constitutional Expert)

Anchor: Frank Pereira

यूपीएससी आईएएस (प्री) सामान्य अध्ययन वर्गीकृत परीक्षा पेपर UPSC IAS (Pre.) General Studies Categorized Exam (Paper - 1) "भूगोल - कृषि भूगोल"

1. भारतीय कृषि के संदर्भ में, निम्नलिखित में से कौन-सा कथन सही है? (2002)

(a) भारत में दालों की खेती के अंतर्गत आने वाला लगभग 90 प्रतिशत क्षेत्र वर्षा द्वारा पोषित है
(b) पिछले दो दशकों में राष्ट्रीय स्तर पर खेती किए जाने वाले कुल क्षेत्र में दालों का भाग दुगुना हो गया है
(c) विश्व में कुल क्षेत्र में होने वाली चावल की खेती का लगभग 15 प्रतिशत भाग भारत में है
(d) भारत में होने वाली खेती के कुल क्षेत्र में से लगभग 34 प्रतिशत क्षेत्र में चावल की खेती होती है

2. भारत में फसलों की अधिक पैदावार वाली निम्नलिखित किस्मों पर विचार कीजिएः (2002)

1. अर्जुन
2. जया
3. पदमा
4. सोनालिका

इनमें से कौन-कौन सी गेहूँ हैं?

(a) 1 और 2
(b) 1 और 3
(c) 1 और (d)
(d) 3 और (d)

3. निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार कीजिएः (2002)

1. भारत में ज्वार के अंतर्गत सर्वाधिक एकड़ क्षेत्र महाराष्ट्र में है।
2. भारत में मूंगफली का सबसे बड़ा उत्पादक गुजरात है।
3. भारत में कृष्य व्यर्थ भूमि का वृहत्तम क्षेत्र राजस्थान में है।
4. भारत में मक्का की अधिकतम प्रति हेक्टेयर पैदावार आंध्र प्रदेश में होती है।

इन कथनों में कौन-कौन से सही हैं?

(a) 1 और 2
(b) 2 और 3
(c) 1 और 3
(d) 2 और 4

UPSC सामान्य अध्ययन (GS) प्रारंभिक परीक्षा (Pre) पेपर-1 स्टडी किट

हार्ड कॉपी में सी-सैट (CSAT) अध्ययन सामाग्री के लिए यहां क्लिक करें

सामान्य अध्ययन प्रारंभिक परीक्षा के लिए ऑनलाइन कोचिंग (पेपर - 1 Paper - 1)

सामान्य अध्ययन ऑनलाइन प्रशिक्षण कार्यक्रम का (Sample Material)

विषय: भारत और विश्व का भूगोल

भूकंप एवं ज्वालामुखी

पूर्ण सामग्री के लिए ऑनलाइन कोचिंग मे शामिल हो

हार्ड कॉपी (Hard Copy) में जीएस पेपर 1 (GS Paper - 1) अध्ययन किट खरीदने के लिए यहां क्लिक करें

भूकंप (Earthquakes)

भूकम्प का साधारण अर्थ है भूमि का काँपना अर्थात पृथ्वी का हिलना । दूसरे शब्दो में अचानक झटके से प्रारंभ हुए पृथ्वी के कंपन को भूकंप कहते हैं। यदि किसी तालाब के शांत जल मे एक पत्थर फेका जाए तो जल के तल पर सभी दिशाओं में तरंगे फैल जाएँगी । इसी प्रकार से जब चट्टानों मे कोई आकस्मिक हलचल होती है तो उससे कंपन पैदा होता है उसी प्रकार भू- पर्पटी में आकस्मिक कंपन पैदा होता है जिससे तरंगें उत्पन होती है। तरंगे अपनी उत्पत्ति केंन्द्र से चारो ओर आगे बढ़ती हैं ।

Current Affairs Daily Voice Notes

Spotlight/News Analysis (15 March 2017):

• Topic of Discussion: Discussion on post assembly election scenario
• Expert Panel: Neerja Chowdhury ( Political Commentator), T R Ramachandran (Senior Journalist)

Sample Material of Our Online Coaching Programme

Subject: Polity

Topic: River Water Disputes In India

Buy GS Paper 1 Study Kit in Hard Copy

For Full Material Join Online Crash Course for UPSC PRE Exam

The Seventh Schedule of the Constitution contains the legislative powers of federal and state governments. Water is a state subject and is included as entry 17 in list 2 (i.e., subject matters for state legislation). This entry reads: “Water, that is to say, water supplies, Irrigation and canals, drainage and embankments, water storage and water power subject to the provisions of Entry 56 of List 1”. The role of federal government is stipulated in entry 56 of List 1: “Regulation and development of inter-State rivers and river valleys to the extent to which such regulation and development under the control of the Union is declared by The Parliament by law to be expedient in the public interest”.

When a “Water dispute” arises between two or more state governments, the following is the procedure to resolve the same:

Article 262 of the constitution empowers the Parliament to make laws for the adjudication of inter-state water disputes. That article also permits the Parliament to exclude such disputes from being referred to the Supreme Court.

The Inter States Water Disputes (ISWD) Act, 1956, was enacted by the Parliament to deal with inter-state water disputes. Government of India can set up a tribunal to settle such a dispute when one or more riparian states of an inter-state is/are of the opinion that their interests are (or are likely to be) affected by actions or plans of other states, they can request the government of India to constitute a tribunal under the Act. Within a year ‘of receiving such a request and when convinced that such dispute cannot be resolved through negotiations, the government of India shall constitute a tribunal to hear the disputes concerning claims of water sharing and adjudicate an award. Such a tribunal should have three members who should be judges of the supreme court or the high court and are appointed by the Chief Justice of India; the government of India can appoint up to two persons to assist the tribunal; after considering all the aspects as may be necessary, the tribunal gives its report to the government of India; if the riparian states or the government of India need any clarification, they can apply seeking such clarification from the tribunal within 90 days; the tribunal may give further clarifications. Then the report, called award, is published by the government of India in the official gazette. Once it is published, the award is binding on all the Parties and it is deemed equivalent to an order or decree of the Supreme Court. The act also empowers the central government to make schemes and constitute an authority to implement the tribunal’s award.

So far, five Inter-state water disputes tribunals have been constituted

• Krishna Water Disputes Tribunal (1969- 1976)
• Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal (1969- 1979)
• Godavari Water Disputes Tribunal (1969- 1980)
• Ravi and beas Waters Tribunal (1986 and report is still to be submitted)
• Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (1990-2007).

Changes in the 1956 Act made in 2002 by Parliament

The fo1lowing provisions were introduced through an amendment to the 1956 Act in 2002

• The limit of one year from the date of receipt of a request by government of India to constitution of a tribunal
• The requirement for the tribunal to give its award within three years (with a provision that government of India can extend this by another two years)
• The provision for central government to appoint two assessors to assist the tribunal.

River Boards Act, 1956

In order to promote integrated and optimum development of waters of inter-state river and river valleys, under Entry 56 of List-I of the Constitution (Union List), Parliament enacted the River Boards Act, 1956. The Act contemplated the appointment of river boards by the central government in consultation with the state governments. These boards are expected to promote development of irrigation, drainage, water supply, flood control and hydro-electric power.

Cauvery Water dispute

  The Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal’s final verdict has granted Tamil Nadu 419 thousand million cubic feet (tmcft) of water out of the 740 tmcft in the river basin, though the actual release from Karnataka to Tamil Nadu will be only 192 tmcft annually.

Karnataka, which was allocated 270 tmcft of the water, has decided to file a review petition before the same panel. Kerala is granted 30 tmcft Puducherry the fourth riparian state (UT) has been granted seven tmcft of water out of the 192 for Tamil Nadu.

The tribunal was constituted in 1990 and had given an interim order allocating 205 tmcft of water to Tamil Nadu in 1991. The final order would supersede the agreements of 1892 and 1924 between the then governments Madras and Mysore.

Daily Answer Writing Challenge for UPSC Mains General Studies (15 March 2017)

Write and Discuss Your Answer with Q.No in Comment Box at the Bottom of Post.

General Studies - I "Syllabus Topic – Post- Independence India"

1. “Make in India” were more performative, promising delivery of the goods and competence better than any of the words. Explain.

• Source: The Hindu
   

General Studies - II "Syllabus Topic – International Relations”

2. The greatest political challenge for the Conservative government in London is to put forward a coherent and convincing case for Scotland to remain in the U.K. Discuss *

• Source: The Hindu
   

General Studies - III "Syllabus Topic- Science and Technology"

3. The rules of the Accessible India Campaign without making them accessible is just ironic in a tragic way. Comment.

• Source: The Hindu
   

General Studies - IV "Syllabus Topic – Probity in Governance"

4. Though force can protect in emergency, only justice, fairness, consideration and cooperation can finally lead men to the dawn of eternal peace. (Dwight D. Eisenhower). Examine the statement.

• Source: Ethics, Integrity and Aptitude for Civil Services Examination By P. N. Roy Chowdhury, G. Subba Rao

Write Your Answer in Comment Box at Bottom of this Page.

Click Here to Join General Studies Test Series for IAS Mains Examination 2017

Current Affairs MCQ for UPSC Exams – 15 March 2017

Q1 - Which of the following countries share largest border with India?

A. Bangladesh
B. China
C. Pakistan
D. Nepal