TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS

TNPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS PART-1 & 2

OCTOBER MONTH CURRENT AFFAIRS FOR UPCOMING COMPETITIVE EXAMS 

Part-1

Part-2

Must watch for your success.

ICAN- NOBEL PEACE PRIZE?

Ican? What do they do and why did they win the 2017 Nobel ☮️ Prize?

Anti-nuclear weapons campaign group says the 'spectre of nuclear conflict looms large' after winning Nobel prize

The group holds protests in 101 countries around the world Ican

"The Nobel Peace Prize 2017 has been awarded to the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons"

The group - known by its acronym Ican - is a coalition working to mobilise people in countries around the world to pressure governments to ban nuclear weapons.

Inspired by the progress in banning the use of land mines, Ican was first formed in Australia but officially launched in Austria in 2007. It now operates in 101 countries.

NOBEL PEACE PRIZE WON BY CAMPAIGN TO ABOLISH NUCLEAR WEAPONS

With the support of high profile figures including the former UN secretary general, Ban Ki-moon, Ican has campaigned for the establishment of a special UN working group on advancing nuclear disarmament.

The biggest milestone in the history of Ican came this year with the adoption by 122 countries of the 2017 Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

The treaty was hailed as the result of collective efforts by Ican alongside the Red Cross, UN agencies and individual countries.

It is hoped the treaty, which prohibits states from developing, testing, producing, manufacturing, acquiring, possessing, or stockpiling nuclear weapons, will lead to the elimination of all nuclear arms.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee announced Ican was awarded the peace prize for its work “to draw attention to the catastrophic humanitarian consequences of any use of nuclear weapons and for its ground-breaking efforts to achieve a treaty-based prohibition of such weapons”.

ICAN campaign video: It's time to ban nuclear weapons

Commenting on their win, Ican said: “This is a time of great global tension, when fiery rhetoric could all too easily lead us, inexorably, to unspeakable horror. The spectre of nuclear conflict looms large once more.

“If ever there were a moment for nations to declare their unequivocal opposition to nuclear weapons, that moment is now.

“We applaud those nations that have already signed and ratified the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, and we urge all others to follow their lead.

“It offers a pathway forward at a time of alarming crisis. Disarmament is not a pipe dream, but an urgent humanitarian necessity.”

NEW REPORT ON MEASLES

According to a report by the the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the United Nations Foundation, UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO), around 20.8 million children across the world are still missing their first measles vaccine dose

More than half these unvaccinated children live in six countries
(1) Nigeria (3.3 million), (2) India (2.9 million), (3) Pakistan (2.0 million), (4) Indonesia (1.2 million), (5) Ethiopia (0.9 million), and (6) Democratic Republic of the Congo (0.7 million)

India’s situation

India has the second highest population of children who haven’t been vaccinated against measles

It happened despite the government’s focused campaign to check the highly contagious infection

Measles

Measles is a highly contagious infection caused by the measles virus

• Initial signs and symptoms typically include fever, often greater than 40 °C (104.0 °F), cough, runny nose, and inflamed eyes

• Two or three days after the start of symptoms, small white spots may form inside the mouth, known as Koplik’s spots.

• A red, flat rash which usually starts on the face and then spreads to the rest of the body typically begins three to five days after the start of symptoms.

• Symptoms usually develop 10–12 days after exposure to an infected person and last 7–10 days.[5][6] Complications occur in about 30% and may include diarrhea, blindness, inflammation of the brain, and pneumonia among others

Rubella (German measles) and roseola are different diseases.

For more information refer:
https://www.healthline.com/health/measles#overview1

FIRST CABINET OF FREE INDIA SHORTCUTS

First Cabinet of Free India (1947)
Shortcut , you can easily score one mark from this section.

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Electronic Voting Machine in INDIA

Difference of INDIAN EVM with other Countries



Free and fair elections are central to the democratic ethos of any country. This includes fair, accurate, and transparent electoral process with outcomes that can be independently verified. Conventional voting accomplishes many of these goals. However, electoral malpractices like bogus voting and booth capturing pose a serious threat to spirit of electoral democracy. It has, thus, been the endeavour of the Election Commission of India to make reforms in the electoral process to ensure free and fair elections. EVMs, devised and designed by Election Commission of India in collaboration with two Public Sector undertakings viz., Bharat Electronics Limited, Bangalore and Electronics Corporation of India Limited, Hyderabad, is a major step in this direction.

Electronic Voting Machines ("EVM") are being used in Indian General and State Elections to implement electronic voting in part from 1999 elections and in total since 2004 elections. The EVMs reduce the time in both casting a vote and ELECTRONIC VOTING MACHINES declaring the results compared to the old paper ballot system. Bogus voting and booth capturing can be greatly reduced by the use of EVMs. Illiterate people find EVMs easier than ballot paper system. They are easier to transport the EVMs compared to ballot boxes.

EVM has become the leitmotif of the world's largest democratic exercise and gets smarter with each avatar. Here is an attempt to briefly trace the evolution of the EVM and its use in the world's largest democracy.

EVMs were first used in 50 polling stations of Parur Assembly Constituency of Kerala in May 1982. These machines could not be used after 1983 after a Supreme Court ruling that necessitated legal backing for the use of Voting machines in elections. The law was amended by Parliament in December, 1988 and a new section 61A was inserted in the Representation of the People Act, 1951 empowering the Commission to use voting machines. On 24th March, 1992, necessary amendment to the Conduct of Elections Rules, 1961 was notified by the Government in the Ministry of Law and Justice. An Expert Committee was constituted by the Govt. of India which concluded that these machines are temper proof. Since, November 1998, EVMs have been using in each and every general/ bye elections to Parliamentary and Assembly Constituency. India turned into an e-democracy in General Elections 2004 when EVMs were used across all polling Stations in the country. Since then, all elections were conducted by EVMs .

The process of electronic voting can be of three types:

(i)Direct Recording Machines placed at designated polling station,

(ii)Internet Voting

Remote Online Voting

At Designated Polling Stations

(iii)Optical Scanners

Stand-alone

Networked for centralized counting of results

EVMs used in India fall under the first type of stand-alone direct recording machines with no possibility of any kind of network connectivity where voters cast their votes at an assigned polling station on the day of election under strict administrative security ensured by the ECI.

Difference from International EVM's

Even though ECI EVMs are also direct recording machines ECI EVMs are completely different from any of the EVMs used internationally either for direct recording or for internet voting or for optical scanning. This is clearly highlighted in the comparative analysis of ECI EVMs with the DRMs used in countries like Germany, Netherland, Ireland, and USA as follows:

Germany:

In Germany, the e-voting machines manufactured by NEDAP were used in between 2005 - 2009 before it came under criticism and finally discontinued. The Bundesverfassungsgericht (the Federal Constitutional Court of Germany) ordered the discontinuation of the use of NEDAP machines in 2009 because of the below-mentioned reasons:

The use of Nedap electronic voting machines violated the principle of the public nature of elections (Article 38 in conjunction with Article 20.1 and 20.2 of the Basic Law) that requires that all essential steps in the elections are subject

INTERIM GOVERNMENT SHORTCUTS

You can easily get one mark from interim government. Frequently asking this in TNPSC GROUP 2,2A,4,VAO.....



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SAUBHAGYA SCHEME

          The Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (‘Saubhagya’)

It claims to ensure electrification of all willing households in the country

It makes promises to provide a free electricity connection to all willing BPL households

And to all others on a payment of Rs. 500 (which shall be recovered by the power distribution companies/power departments in 10 instalments along with electricity bills)

Some issues related to this scheme

It expects the poor to pay the bills without providing any subsidy to ease their burden

Even to the best of their abilities the poor would often not be in a position to pay regular electricity bills, which in turn could result in disconnection

The government has conveniently overlooked the fact that for the poor in some States, the inability to pay an electricity bill is a big impediment

This new scheme is just a way of refurbishing the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY)

The DDUGJY scheme of rural electrification launched in July 2015, which aimed to electrify all un-electrified villages by May 2018

Was DDUGJY successful?: Under DDUGJY, the government managed to electrify 14,701 villages while 2,760 villages remain un-electrified; out of these, work is still in progress in a total of 2,611 villages

However, out of the 14,701 villages, only in 8%, i.e. 1,198 villages, do all households have connectivity

The Saubhagya scheme may only be able to plug the gaps and address the issues of entry barrier, last mile connectivity and release of connections

But it can guarantee neither regular electricity supply nor continuation of those connections in case of non-payment

A free electricity connection may provide some relief as far as the financial burden is concerned

However, expecting poor households to bear the recurring burden of bills as per the prevailing tariff of DISCOMs is unimaginable

Issue with the definition of an ‘electrified village’

Even if we take into consideration the fact that so many villages have been “electrified”, the next point of contention is the definition used

According to the definition, a village is considered to be electrified if 10% households have an electricity connection and related basic infrastructure

Furthermore, even in these 10% of households, there is no promise of minimum hours of supply

Regular supply of electricity is not possible in current circumstances

Even if the programme is successful, hypothetically, and all households are provided a connection, there would still be the problem of regular supply

Industry estimates suggest that this scheme would potentially require an additional 28,000 MW and additional energy of about 80,000 million units per annum, which is roughly 7% of India’s current installed power capacity

There is a power shortage even at this moment leading to scheduled and unscheduled load shedding, often up to 10 hours or more

The problem is graver still in interior rural India

The way forward certainly, Saubhagya has some positives such as provision for households outside the reach of grid lines 

However, our contention is that the policy has set a standard for itself without enough focus on its capacity to deliver results

The policy statement echoes the commitment to facilitate economic growth and social development.

BHAGAT SINGH SENSE OF NATIONALISM

Bhagat Singh’s sense of nationalism differ from other stalwarts of the national movement. Discuss. Comment

Model Answer:

Difference between Bhagat Singh and other Freedom Fighters

1) He initially sought revolutionary mass movement against the colonial rule, many other prominent leaders resorted to non-violent struggle under Gandhi at the latter end of the freedom movement.

2) He later resorted to individual act of Revolutionary Terrorism because of rapid change of time and shocked at the death of Lala Lajpat Rai. Though he preferred mass struggle, he wanted to educate the people through his deed. It was considered as "Propaganda by deed".

But other stalwarts believed in long-struggle which involved "S-T-S" (Struggle Truce Struggle).

3) Propagated Anarchism- abolition of state, freedom from obsession of religion, money or other worldly desire. Though seemed quite radical he explained that absence of "state" did not mean absence of "order", but merely absence of chains on the body or control.

4) While Bhagat Singh abjured religion in political affairs and was conscient not to discriminate between his comrades. Other freedom fighters like Tilak, though with best intentions, had resorted to Hindu religious ceremonies for enlisting mass support. This had lead to religious conscience in the masses.

5) Bhagat Singh did not discriminate between his subjects and wrote against overt beliefs in God. Gandhiji being a conservative Hindu upheld religion in political affairs by saying that politics without ethics (religion) is dangerous.

Bhagat singh strand of nationalism was of a progressive one,wherein he wanted a dismantle of all systems which make exploitation of one man by another possible.
He stood for emancipation of a nation from all its social evils emphasising on rationality,secularism and personally adhering to atheism

His nationalism was not confined to preserving territorial integrity but ushering in social revolution.

CROPPING SYSTEM IN INDIA

Explain the types of Cropping Systems. Comment

CROPPING SYSTEM IN INDIA

Model Answer:

          Cropping pattern indicates the proportion of area under different crops at a point of time. Cropping activities go on all the year round in India provided water is available for the crops.
In India, the cropping pattern follows two distinct seasons; Kharif season from July to October and Rabi season from October to March. The crops grown between March to June called zaid.
The crops are grown solo or mixed (mixed-cropping) or in a definite sequence (rotational cropping). The land may be occupied by one crop during one session (mono cropping) or by two crops during one season (double cropping) which may be grown in a year in a sequence. We explain these cropping systems below.

Types of Cropping Systems

(a) Mono-cropping: Mono-cropping or monoculture refers to growing of only one crop on a piece of land year after year. It may be due to climatological and socioeconomic conditions or due to specialization of a farmer in growing a particular crop, e.g., under rainfed conditions, groundnut or cotton or sorghum are grown year after year due to limitation of rainfall. In canal irrigated areas, under waterlogged condition, rice crop is grown as it is not possible to grow any other crop.

(b) Multiple-cropping: Growing two or more crops on the same piece of land in one calendar year is known as multiple-cropping. It is intensification of cropping in time and space dimensions, i.e., more number of crops within a year and more number of crops on the same piece of land at any given period. It includes intercropping, mixed-cropping and sequence cropping. Double-cropping is a case where the land is occupied by two crops, which are grown in a year in sequence.

(c) Inter-cropping: Inter-cropping is growing of two or more crops simultaneously on the same piece of land with a definite row pattern. For example, growing setaria and redgram in 5:1 ratio.
Thus, cropping intensity in space dimension is achieved. Inter-cropping was originally practiced as an insurance against crop failure under rainfed conditions. At present, the main objective of inter-cropping is higher productivity per unit area in addition to stability in production. Intercropping system utilizes resources efficiently and their productivity is increased.

For successful inter-cropping, there are certain important requirements:

(1) The time of peak nutrient demands of component crops should not overlap.
(2) Competition for light should be minimum among the component crops.
(3) Complementarity should exist between the component crops.
(4) The differences in maturity of component crops should be at least 30 days.
(d) Mixed-cropping: Mixed-cropping is growing of two or more crops simultaneously intermingled without any row pattern. It is a common practice in most of dry land tracts of India. Seeds of different crops are mixed in certain proportion and are sown. The objective is to meet the family requirement of cereals, pulses and vegetables.
(e) Sequence-Cropping: Sequence cropping can be defined as growing of two or more crops in a sequence on the same piece of land in a farming year. Depending on the number of crops grown in a year it is called double, triple or quadruple cropping involving two, three and four crops respectively. In addition to the above systems, relay cropping and ratoon cropping are also in existence. Relay cropping refers to planting of the succeeding crop before harvesting the preceding crops. Ratoon cropping or ratooning refers to raising a crop with re-growth coming out of roots or stalks after harvest of the crop.
(f) Integrated Farming System: Integrated farming system is a holistic method of combining several enterprises like cropping system, diarying, piggery, poultry, fishery, bee-keeping, etc. in a harmonious way so as to complement each other.

The objective is efficient resource utilisation and maximization of profit in such a way so as to cause least damage to soil and environment.

GIST OF KURUKSHETRA ABOUT GST

GOODS AND SERVICES TAX (GST)

Much awaited Goods and Services Tax (GST) is set to be implemented from July L", 2017. It is being lauded as the most important tax reform since 1947. Following is a brief overview of GST:

Salient Features of GST:

(i) The GST would be applicable on the supply of goods or services as against the present concept of tax on the manufacture or sale of goods or provision of services. It would be a destination based consumption tax. This
means that tax would accrue to the State or the Union Territory where the consumption takes place. It would be a dual GST with the Centre and States simultaneously levying tax on a common tax base.

(ii) The GST would apply to all goods other than. alcoholic liquor for human consumption and five petroleum products, viz. petroleum crude, motor spirit (petrol), high speed diesel, natural gas and aviation turbine fuel. It would apply to all services barring a few to be specified. The GST would replace a host of indirect taxes such as - Central Excise Duty, Service Tax, Central Surcharges and Cesses so far as they relate to supply of goods and services, State VAT, Luxury Tax, Purchase Tax etc.

(iii) The list of exempted goods and services would be common for the Centre and the States.

(iv) Threshold Exemption: Taxpayers with an aggregate turnover in a Financial Year up to RS.20 lakhs would be exempted from tax. For eleven Special Category States, like those in the North-East and the hilly States, the exemption threshold shall be Rs. 10 lakhs.

(v) An Integrated tax (IGST) would be levied and collected by the Centre on inter-State supply of goods and services. Accounts would be settled periodically between the Centre and the States to ensure that the SGST/UTGST portion of IGST is transferred to the destination State where the goods or Services are eventually consumed.

(vi) Use of Input Tax Credit (ITC): Taxpayers shall be allowed to take credit of taxes paid on inputs (input tax credit) and utilize the same for payment of output tax.

(vii) Exports and supplies to SEZ shall be treated as zero-rated supplies.

(viii) Import of goods and services would be treated as inter-State supplies and would be subject to IGST in addition to the applicable customs duties. The IGST paid shall be available as ITC for further transactions.

Benefits

1. GST aims to make India a common market with common tax rates and procedures and remove the economic barriers, thus paving the way for an integrated economy at the national level. GST is a win-win situation for all the stakeholders of industry, government and the consumer. It will lower the cost of goods and services, give a boost to the economy and make the products and services globally competitive.

2. GST is largely technology driven. It will reduce the human interface to a great extent and this would lead to speedy decisions. GST will bring more transparency to indirect tax laws.

3. GST will give a major boost to the 'Make in India' initiative of the Government of India by making goods and services produced in India competitive in the National as well as International market.

4. Under the GST regime, exports will be zerorated in entirety unlike the present system, where refund of some taxes may not take place due to fragmented nature of indirect taxes between the Centre and the States. This will boost Indian exports in the international market.

5. GST is expected to bring buoyancy to the Government Revenue by widening the tax base and improving the taxpayer compliance. GST is likely to improve India's ranking in the Ease of Doing Business Index and is estimated to increase the GDP growth by 1.5 to 2 per cent.

6. The taxpayers would not be required to maintain records and show compliance with a myriad of indirect tax laws of the Central and the State Governments. They would only need to maintain records and show compliance in respect of Central GST, State GST and Integrated GST.

Other provisions of GST:

(i) Valuation of goods shall be done on the basis of transaction value i.e. the invoice price, which is the current practice under the Central Excise and Customs Laws. Taxpayers are allowed to issue supplementary or revised invoice in respect of a supply made earlier.

(ii) New modes of payment of tax are being introduced, viz. through credit and debit cards, National Electronic Fund Transfer (NEFT) and Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS). (iii) E-Commerce companies are required to collect tax at source in relation to any supplies made through their online platforms, under fulfillment model, at the rate notified by the Government.

(iv) An antiprofiteering measure has been incorporated in the GST law to ensure that any benefits on account of reduction in tax rates results in commensurate reduction in prices of such goods/ services.

IT preparedness:

Putting in place a robust IT network is an absolute must for implementation of GST. A Special Purpose Vehicle called the GSTN has been set up to cater to the needs of GST. The functions of the GSTN would, inter alia, include: (i) facilitating registration; (ii) forwarding the returns to Central and State authorities; (iii) computation and settlement of IGST; (iv) matching of tax payment details with banking network; (v) providing various MIS reports to the Central and the State Governments based on the taxpayer return information; (vi) providing analysis of taxpayers' profile; and (vii) running the matching engine for matching, reversal and reclaim of input tax credit. The target date for introduction of GST is 1st July, 2017. The GSTN will also make available standard software for small traders to keep their accounts in that, so that straight away, it can be uploaded as their monthly returns on GSTN website. This will make compliance easier for small traders.

All States/UTs except the State of Jammu & Kashmir, are ready for roll-out of GST with effect from 1st July, 2017

As of 21st June, 2017, all the States and Union Territories (having assemblies), except the State of Jammu & Kashmir, have approved the State Goods and Services Tax (SGST) Act. The State of Kerala issued an Ordinance approving State GST Act while the State of West Bengal had issued an Ordinance in this regard on 15thJune, 2017. Now the only one State that is yet to pass the State GST Act is the State of J&K. Thus, almost the entire country including all the 30 States/UTs are now on board and ready for the smooth roll-out of GST with effect from 1st July, 2017.

HAMA - HINDU ADOPTIONS AND MAINTENANCE ACT

The Ministry of Women and Child Development is set to initiate amendments to the Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act, 1956 (HAMA) so as to disallow any further adoptions under the personal law and instead bring it under the purview of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.

Why such a move?

A study that showed that among the adoptable 48,000-odd children across child care institutions, only 2,000 are linked to adoption agencies under JJ Act, half of them are children with special needs.

The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) presently has a waitlist of more than 17,000 prospective parents.

There cannot be two parallel systems as it makes it very difficult to check instances of child trafficking.

The adoption provisions under HAMA need to be repealed so that adoptions happen only through JJ Act.



THE HINDU ADOPTIONS AND MAINTENANCE ACT, 1956 (HAMA)

HAMA allows couples from Hindu, Buddhist, Jain and Sikh communities to adopt children of parents belonging to these communities through a simple agreement.

Adoptions under HAMA are between two individuals and it is very difficult to monitor cases of misuse, selling or trafficking of children.

The JJ Act states that nothing in this Act shall apply to the adoption of children made under the provisions of the HAMA.

Another recent study, by CARA, showed the extent of unregistered adoptions under HAMA.

For Example-In Delhi less than 50 adoptions were officially registered in a year under HAMA, but 3,200 stamps were sold for the stated purpose of adoption where the deeds were simply notarised.

What is the problem?

As per the adoption regulations of the JJ Act, all child-care institutions were to be registered with CARA within six months of the legislation coming into force in January 2016.

Twenty months later, 10 per cent of the total institutions are both linked to adoption agencies and registered under the Act.

The recent ministry study found that there are 9,400 child-care institutions across the country, over half of which are unregistered.

The ministry will issue an ultimatum to all child-care institutions asking them to register under the JJ Act by December 31, else shut down operations.

This is aligned with May 2017 order by a Supreme Court bench in a case regarding exploitation of children in a Tamil Nadu orphanage that held that all child-care institutions have to be registered under JJ Act by the year end.

Many institutions hold on to the children as their funding agencies give them grants based on the number of children with them.

TNPSC SCIENCE AYAKUDI MATERIAL PART-4

TNPSC AYAKKUDI 🌲 SCIENCE MATERIAL WITH SOME EXTRA POINTS FOR UPCOMING EXAMS

MUST WATCH

DON'T MISS IT

OBJECTIVES AND MANDATES OF WTO

What are the objectives and mandates of WTO? Challenges lie for India in negotiation? Comment

Model Answer:

The World Trade Organization — the WTO — is the international organization whose primary purpose is to open trade for the benefit of all.

The WTO provides a forum for negotiating agreements aimed at reducing obstacles to international trade and ensuring a level playing field for all, thus contributing to economic growth and development. The WTO also provides a legal and institutional framework for the implementation and monitoring of these agreements, as well as for settling disputes arising from their interpretation and application.

More specifically, the WTO's main activities are:

• negotiating the reduction or elimination of obstacles to trade (import tariffs, other barriers to trade) and agreeing on rules governing the conduct of international trade (e.g. antidumping, subsidies, product standards, etc.)
• administering and monitoring the application of the WTO's agreed rules for trade in goods, trade in services, and trade-related intellectual property rights
• monitoring and reviewing the trade policies of our members, as well as ensuring transparency of regional and bilateral trade agreements
• settling disputes among our members regarding the interpretation and application of the agreements
• building capacity of developing country government officials in international trade matters
• assisting the process of accession of some 30 countries who are not yet members of the organization
• conducting economic research and collecting and disseminating trade data in support of the WTO's other main activities
• explaining to and educating the public about the WTO, its mission and its activities.

Challenges for India:

1) Permanent solution on Public stockholding for food security purposes.
2) Finality on the agricultural special safeguard mechanism.

The SSM is to allow developing nation to temporarily hike tariffs to counter sudden import surges on price falls.

Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership

What is RCEP? What are the issues in the context of India and suggest measures? Comment

Model Answer:

Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is a proposed free trade agreement (FTA) between the ten member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam) and the six states with which ASEAN has existing free trade agreements (Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand).

1) E- commerce: Placing great limitation on digital policy making by any country in the name of promoting E-commerce.

Problems for India:

• India is still stuck in the IT realities of yesterday.
• India is on a threshold of a digital society.

2) Intellectual property: Monopolies are adopted at this meeting , the repercussion may be permanently damaging for people’s access to affordable medicines like in generic drugs by India.
3) Data exclusivity:Japan and korea demanding the period of no less than 5 years .Data exclusivity creates a barrier to entry for generic producers .India has purposely not adopted it .
4) Procurement policy:pressure to free procurement policy to unlock over 300 billion dollar market by other countries to India. India is not a signatory to the govt procurement agreement within the WTO framework because it wants to retain its policy space to meet its development need through public procurement process.
5) On tariff liberalization:China wants hive level of elimination of duties under it that will lead to surge of Chinese products in the market.

Suggestion:

1) A well articulated and diplomatic policy needed.
2) Need of the understanding of current global situation in the context of domestic growth.

FOLLET

Question : "Legitimate authority flows from coordination, not coordination from authority (Follet). Comment" (10 Marks/150 Words)
Model Answer : 

To Follet coordination leads to self adjustment which in turn leads to scheme of planning. According to her, coordination , definition of purpose and anticipation are three critical functions of a leader. A leader is the one who derives authority from law of situation. It is this legitimate authority that instills heightened self respect and increases efficiency among subordinate. Follet says that central authority should be replaced by authority of function in which individual has final authority within the allotted functions which defines one’s responsibility also. A leader should have a total clear interrelatedness to exercise authority. Orders without proposition cause resentment and the resultant conflict is not constructive. It hinders circular behaviour and ultimately organisational efficiency has to bear the toll. Thus Follet stresses that legitimate authority flows from coordination and not vice versa. (Total Words- 134)

Neo classic school

Discuss the extent to which we can call human relations school as 'neo-classical' School 🏫. (30 Marks/350 Words)    

Model Answer : 

The human relations writer like the scientific management theorists, acknowledge the importance of ‘management’ in production, they differ from them in their basic approach to the organization which they characterize as a Social system consisting of individuals, informal groups and inter-group relationships in addition to the formal structure.

The human relations theory is called the ‘neo-classical theory' because it accept efficiency and productivity as the legitimate values of organization, although it relies on a different set of techniques to achieve these values. Both the classical and human relations theories are alike in their objectives but differ in the approaches adopted to accomplish those objectives. the human relationists seek to maximize the values of efficiency and productivity by eliminating dehumanization approach of the classical approach. The human relations theory differs from the classical theory and Neo-classical theory in the following respects-

Classical Theory :

1) focus on structure, order, the formal organization, economic factor and rationality
2) formal organization structure consisting of jobs and job descriptions as spelled out in the charts and manuals.
3) Takes the atomistic view of man and considers workers as various cogs in a machine.
4) For workers motivation consider economic rewards and physical conditions are regarded as important factors
5) Authoritarian style of supervision

Neo-Classical Theory:

1) Informal group as major explanation of the behaviour in the organization.
2) informal organization concern with social relationships of individual workers within the organization.
3) Consider workers essentially as social beings who react to management, organization and work itself as members of group rather than as individuals
4) Consider Social-psychological rewards and group sanctions are important motivators for work.
5) Democratic type of supervision.

It shows that both approach have taken two views of organizations. Neither of the approaches is wholly right , although each is partially right. In reality , an organization is both a formal structure and informal relations among employees. These two aspects of an organization are not contradictory but allied to each other. Thus in terms of achieving common end objective Human relations school as widens the scope of Classical Theory and can be considered as Neo –Classical.

GOA PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION

GOA PSC : Advertisment 10/2017, Post of (Professor in Oral Medicine and Radiology,Junior Orthopaedic Surgeon,Assistant Public Prosecutor)

Online applications are invited for the below mentioned posts.

1. Candidates should carefully read the “Instructions” available on Commission’s website before filling the application online.

2. In case of non-availability of suitable candidates with the knowledge of Konkani for the posts in professional colleges, Consultants in Directorate of Health Services and highly technical/scientific posts, the Goa Public Service Commission may recommend a candidate if otherwise found fit and this requirement can be relaxed by the Government, on the recommendation of the Goa Public Service Commission, if the Government is of the opinion that it is necessary or expedient so to do.

3. Prescribed EQs are minimum & mere possession of same does not entitle the candidates to be called for interview. Where number of applications received is large, the Commission will short list the candidates to be called for interview as mentioned in the “Instructions”.

Post Details :

I. GOA DENTAL COLLEGE AND HOSPITAL

1. Professor in Oral Medicine and Radiology …… 1 post 

II. DIRECTORATE OF HEALTH SERVICES

2. Junior Orthopaedic Surgeon …… 1 post (resvd for OBC)

III. DIRECTORATE OF PROSECUTION

3. Assistant Public Prosecutor …… 5 posts (1 resvd for ST & 1 resvd for CFF)

Educational & Other Qualifications:-

I. GOA DENTAL COLLEGE AND HOSPITAL

Essential :

1. Professor in Oral Medicine and Radiology 

(i) A qualification included in Part I or Part II of the Schedule to the Dentists Act, 1948 (16 of 1948).

(ii) Post-graduate qualification in Dentistry i.e. M.D.S. from a recognised Institution or equivalent.

(iii) Should be registered with Dental Council.

(iv) 5 years’ teaching experience after the post-graduate qualification as Reader/Assistant Professor of Dentistry in the subject in a recognised Dental College/Medical College with Dental Wing/Dental Institution.

(v) Knowledge of Konkani.

Note 1: Qualifications are relaxable at the discretion of the G.P.S.C in case of candidates otherwise well qualified.

Note 2: The qualification(s) regarding experience is/are relaxable at the discretion of the G.P.S.C in the case of candidates belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes if, at any stage of selection, the G.P.S.C is of the opinion that sufficient number of candidates from these communities possessing the requisite experience are not likely to be available to fill up the vacancies reserved for them.

Desirable: (i) Research work/Publication. (ii) Knowledge of Marathi.

II. DIRECTORATE OF HEALTH SERVICES

2. Junior Orthopaedic Surgeon

Essential:

(i) A recognised Medical qualification included in the First or Second Schedule or Part II of the Third Schedule (other than Licentiate qualification) to the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 (102 of 1956). Holders of educational qualifications included in Part II of the Third Schedule should also fulfill the conditions stipulated in sub-section (3) of section 13 of the said Indian Medical Council Act, 1956.

(ii) Postgraduate degree, failing which post-graduate diploma, in the speciality concerned.

(iii) In case of Diploma holders, Work in responsible position connected with the speciality concerned for 2 years after post-graduation Diploma.

(iv) Knowledge of Konkani.

Desirable: Knowledge of Marathi.

III. DIRECTORATE OF PROSECUTION

3. Assistant Public Prosecutor

Essential:

(i) A degree in Law from a recognized University or any equivalent qualification.

(ii) Must have practiced as an Advocate for 2 years.

(iii) Knowledge of Konkani.

Desirable: Knowledge of Marathi.

Age :

1. Professor in Oral Medicine and Radiology - Not exceeding 50 years. 

2. Junior Orthopaedic Surgeon - Not exceeding 45 years.  

3. Assistant Public Prosecutor - Not exceeding 45 years.  

Scale of Pay:

1. Professor in Oral Medicine and Radiology - Rs. 37,400-67,000+8700/- (pre-revised) (As per revised pay matrix level 13) 

2. Junior Orthopaedic Surgeon - Rs. 15,600-39,100+5,400/- (pre-revised) (As per revised pay matrix level 10)

3. Assistant Public Prosecutor - Rs. 15,600-39,100+5,400/- (pre-revised) (As per revised pay matrix level 10)

Important Date :

 The last date for filling up the applications is 27.10.2017.

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TNPSC SCIENCE AYAKKUDI MATERIAL PART -3

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WATER RESOURCES IN INDIA?

India is running Out of water resources –principally ground water resources at an alarming rate. Analyse the reason and suggest some measures. Comment

Model Answer:

According to a recent study by the American Geophysical union- he upper Ganga basin – home to more than half of India population – could turn out of ground water resources by 2050.

Reasons:

1)Lack of infrastructure: Despite of getting enough rain , unable to trap and conserve it
2)Growing urbanization
3)Mismanagement of civic facilities: Failure of civic admin to deliver water brings private enterprises to step in tanker supply which is tapped from unregulated groundwater sources.
4)The city water utility from farms and deep borewells leading to rising conflicts between urban,peri-urban and rural population.
5)Policies lag behind by decades .The biggest thrust of Govt remain on developing surface irrigation infrastructure despite the known inefficiencies of this system.

Solution:

1)Need to change our focus away from building more inefficient large dams and waste ful irrigation projects and towards conserving rainfall bounty with rainwater harvesting techniques.
2)Need to improve efficiency in agriculture.Micro and drip irrigation with the help of sensor based technology.
3)Need to rationalize water pricing.

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Guardian of Public Finances

The Comptroller and Auditor- General (CAG) is the guardian of public finances of the Union Government. Explain. Comment

Model Answer:

Article 148 provides for a Comptroller and Auditor- General (CAG) of India who shall be appointed by the President. The CAG is the guardian of public finances of the Union Government.

He enjoys office for a term of six years or till he attains the age of 65 years. The President can remove him from office before the expiry of his term on grounds of proved misbehavior and incapacity.

Functions (Articles 149 to 151) : The main functions of the Comptroller and Auditor- General of India are :

(i) to bring to account the receipts and expenditure of the Union Government (except Railways, Defence Services and other Ministries as their accounts are maintained by the departmental authorities);
(ii) to audit all trading, manufacturing and profit and loss accounts of stores and stocks, where the President may require him to conduct such audit;
(iii) to audit and report on the receipts and expenditure of all bodies substantially financed from the Union or State revenues, Government companies, and other corporations when so required by the laws relating to such corporations

The Constitution ensures the independence of the:

Comptroller and Auditor-General

The independence of the Comptroller and Auditor-General has been sought to be ensured by the following provisions of the Constitution:

(i) the salaries and other expenditure of the Comptroller and Auditor-General and his staff are charged upon the Consolidated Fund of India and are thus non-votable;
(ii) he is not eligible for further employment after his retirement;
(iii) the reports of the Comptroller and Auditor-General relating to accounts are submitted to the President who causes them to be laid before the Parliament;
(iv) his salary and service conditions are not to be changed to his disadvantage during his tenure;
(v) though appointed by the President, the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India can be removed from office only by impeachment through the procedure of Parliament.

Reference: 

Comptroller and auditor general of India CAG official website
www.cag.gov.in

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Parliamentary form of Government

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Reference:
1.Constitution Assembly Debates, volume VII, p.32
2.Constitution Assembly Debates, Volume VII, p.284-5
3.The 42nd and 44th Amendment Acts of 1976 and 1978 respectively have made the ministerial advice binding on the president
4.For this regard, see the section on the 'sovereignty of Parliament' in chapter 22 of M Laxmikanth 

INDIAN POLICE SYSTEM

Why Evidence based Policing is gaining credibility? Does it improve Indian police system? Comment

Model Answer:

Why Evidence based Policing is gaining credibility? Does it improve Indian police system?

Evidence based policing is amovement launched in US and UK often refer to success in the area of healthcare to strengthened the case for experiment based law enforcement.

Reason:for the need of it.

1) Improvement in the quality of service provided by the police.( currently there is dissatisfaction among the people)
2) Rudimentary courtesy to the public at police station .
3) Lack of professionalism.
4) Mindless policing to appease the polity is wasteful and misdirected.

Certain rules that is required for Evidence based policing:

1) To infuse some fresh thinking into the twin problems of maintaining public order and combating conventional crime.
2) A controlled experiment will throw up any number of facts that could help sharpen police professionalism.
3) Identification of hot spot of crime and spotting problematic individuals in acommunity.
4) Analysis of events .It goes beyond statistical and pinpoints the time and opportunities presented to a potential offender.
5) Monitoring pattern of behavior of a class of individuals who had come to adverse notice of law enforcement in a logical way.

All for the above reasons and the rules it is very much needed in Indian society.

Oil and Gas companies

Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of integration of Oil and Gas Companies ? Comment

Model Answer:

Benefits:

Better capacities to bear higher risk.
Avail economies of scale.
Create more share holders value.
Make better investment decision and be more competent globally.

Drawbacks:

The idea was first mooted in Atal vihari Vajpayee govt in 1998 but rejected due to apprehension of monopolistic regime.
In 2005, Krishnamurty committee :it would reduce competition and manpower in the oil and gas sector.

Suggestion:

Minimum political interference and liberalization have proven better in creating more shareholders.
Concern of employment generation should be taken care of.
Should focus on better strategy techniques and management practices.

Need to give intro and conclusion.

LEADER Vs MANAGER

What are the differences between a Leader and a Manager ? (30 Marks/350 Words)    

Model Answer :    

A Manager is a person who is responsible for managing an organization and a leader is someone who control or influence people. Managers and leaders are different in their goals, approaches, target group and ideas. Generally a manager manages a section of skilled worker and resource to accomplish a common goal which is mostly profit oriented in an organization. A manager worked on a set of rules defined in an organization and responsible to his superior. A manager generally works for a business oriented organization. Manager inspires the employee to do the things rightly. Managers are authoritative and more focuses on work to be done.

A leader influence people by his ideology and vision. Leader works for an idea and uses his skills and knowledge to adapt the ideas into reality. A leader is responsible to their followers and peoples. Leader generally does the work which empowers the people and brings a dynamic change which is favourable for the society. Leader motivates the people to do the right things. A leader has the ability to persuade other to seek defined goal enthusiastically.

A popular saying “All leaders are good manager but not all managers are good leaders” because a leader works for the goals but manager works on the goals.

Zaleznik explains the following differences between managers and leaders:

• Managers tend to adopt impersonal and passive attitude towards goals while leaders adopt a more personal and active attitude towards their goals.
• Managers coordinate in order to compromise conflicting values .Leaders develop choices that give substance to people’s imagination.
• Managers visualize themselves as conservators and regulators. Leaders search out for opportunities for change
• Management is more about planning , organizing, directing and controlling the activities of subordinate staff. Leadership is concerned with motivating and involving people.

According to Henry S R Kao the concept of leadership is very broad and applies to formal organisations as well as informal groups. Despite the differences , there is a close relationship between leadership and management in work organisations. To be an effective manager it is necessary to exercise the role of leadership. (Total Words- 350)

Notification of NGT on river Ganga

GS Mains Model Question

Discuss the recent notification bring out from National Green Tribunal on Ganga river ? Comment

Model Answer:

Following are the notification:

1) Prohibition: Of dumping of waste within 500 meters of the river.
2) No development Zone: An area of 100 meters from the edge of the Ganga between Haridwar and Unnao has been declared.
3) Compensation:Of Rs 50000will be imposed on anyone dumping waste in the river.
4) Formulation of Guidelines: Ask Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand govt as per the directives by NGT for religious activities on the Ghats of Ganga and its tributaries.
5) Appointment of Supervisory committee: to keep a check on the regulatory measures.
6) All industrial units in the catchment area of the Ganga should be stopped from indiscriminate ground water extraction.

You just need to give better introduction and conclusion

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION PAPER 1

Delegated Legislation is a consequence of intensive form of government and caution needs to be excercised to ensure that it does not degenerate into 'new despotism'. (20 Marks/250 Words)   
Model Answer :    

The challenges of a developing economy have considerably increased the volume of legislative tasks. Many of the modern issue require contingency plans as well as high technical expertise. Thus to address dynamic aspirations of people within minimum time, legislation is delegated to subordinate authority in pursuance of positive authority given by Parliament. However, delegated legislation may have adverse impact also, in case adequate caution is not deployed. It may lead to the possibility of encroachment. The rules made by administrative agencies may consult organized interests only and the unorganized general public is left out of consideration. In some cases, delegation may tend to exclude the control of courts and deprive the citizens of protection by courts. Too flexible rules by administrative agencies may lead to uncertainty and chaos. A situation may arise where citizens find it difficult to avail judicial remedy on account of procedural difficulties , cost and delay involved. Hence the due process and comprehensiveness of delegated legislation is as important as the delegated legislation itself. There are certain safeguards which need to be deployed while delegation of legislation. These include well defined limits of delegated legislation, antecedent publicity and consultation, parliamentary scrutiny and provision of social auditing. With the help of these methods a balance must be stroked so as to ensure that delegated legislation does not degenerate to new despotism. (Total Words- 224)