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.

TNPSC AYAKKUDI SCIENCE MATERIAL PART - II

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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

Our founding fathers chosen parliamentary form of Government due to some reason.
Watch the video to know the details about parliamentary system, federal government.

For PDF download
Click here


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)

GS Mains Model Question

There is a complaint of female molestation against a man who is the son of a major influential political person and there is pressure also from the party to ignore the case or weaken the case .You are an SP in that region. Comment

Model Answer:

a) What will you do?

• My course of action is to follow the law without being pressurized from anyone.
• Knowing the consequences , I will be prepared to be more cautious with my life and that female protection.
• Select honest and courageous police officers for the investigation.

b) What ethical issue involved if you try to weaken the case?

• Not fulfilling my duty as an SP.
• Playing with the modesty of that particular female who is being molested.
• Encouraging the culprit .
• Removing the fear of law from the mind of the influential people.
• Trust breach of the common people.
• Not being transparent.
• Denying the self-less attitude towards my duty.

GS Model Question and Answer

Describe the impact of casteism upon the Indian electoral system. Comment

Model Answer:

Caste began to play an important role after independence as its involvement in politics increased. The fact that it existed as easily identifiable social cluster of people made it an easy object of political mobilization by political parties in their quest for political support and votes. While the political parties sought to exploit caste for its own electoral purposes, caste groups by making politics their sphere of activity got a chance to assert their identity and bargain for benefits and position in society. Thus, caste and politics interaction has been a two-way process.
In politicizing the castes, the caste associations played a crucial role. Caste associations were quasi-voluntary associations in the sense that its membership was open only to the individuals of the caste community. These associations were formed to secure economic benefits or educational openings or for more clearly political purpose of uniting to fight the hegemony of the upper castes. In either case, involvement in politics was considered necessary for securing the specific purpose for which they were formed. Thus, once formed on the basis of caste identity, caste associations went on to acquire non-caste functions. In electoral politics the role of the caste in politics has become powerful. This can be seen at all levels of the political process of the country. All political parties tend to give party ticket to candidates for contesting elections from amongst the numerically or otherwise dominant caste in every constituency. Major caste groups get representation in the council of ministers. Be it elections, political appointments or even formation of political parties, caste has been the major consideration.

The influence of caste, however, varies depending upon the level of election and the region. Its influence is far more at the local and state-level political process than at the national level. Caste plays greater role in the rural than in urban areas. In the rural areas and at the local level, the smallness of consituency and the fact that there is greater face to face interactions account for the strong influence of caste in politics. Since independence two factors have especially brought the issue of caste in Indian politics into sharp focus. These are
(1) the introduction of universal adult franchise and
(2) the constitutional provisions for protective discrimination in favour of the backward classes.

The introduction of universal adult franchise brought a very large section of the populace, who had been hitherto excluded on account of property qualification to vote, into the arena of electoral politics. This made the task of mobilizing votes enormously difficult for the political parties. The daunting task was, however, made easy when political parties relied upon castes to get their votes. In the process castes’ involvement in politics deepened with every election in India,

In addition to the enlarged arena of electoral politics, the constitutional provisions for protective discrimination also provided the ground for castes to play a significant role in politics.
One may note here that protective discrimination was meant for three categories of people - the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes and the OBC — collectively called as the backward classes. Of these three categories, the SCs and STs were easily identifiable and-there was a large measure of consensus on the need and the desireability of having reservations for them. But the case of the OBCs was different.
Since Independence two types of caste politics can be discerned. The first type involved the caste groups clamouring either for being recognised as OBC by the state governments or those already recognised for getting a higher quota in the reservations. The decision of the State governments to appoint Backward classes Commission from time to time provided the occasion for such caste politics to flourish.
The second type of caste politics, involved mobilization of social and political forces for and against reservations for the OBC based solely on caste criteria. The extent of castes involvement in politics can be appreciated by noting a simple fact that over 50% of the populace belong to the category of the OBCs.

While the first type of caste politics sought to influence the reservation policy of the state government, the second type of caste politics was aimed to resist the reservation policy of the central government.
The reservation issue thus, provided a fertile ground for castes to play an active role in politics.

Public Administration Paper II / Chapter: Public Sector Undertakings

Memorandum of Understanding scheme' between government and public enterprise has forced public undertakings to improve the overall performance. Comment. (25 Marks/300 Words)   Model Answer :    

The Memorandum of Understanding is a tool employed by the Government to give greater autonomy to public sector enterprises while ensuring accountability on their part. It is in the form of a document that entails the intentions, obligations and responsibilities of the two parties in the agreement. Further it aims to exercise a management of PSE’s not based on control, but rather on results and objectives.

In order to achieve this goals an institutional mechanism is in place comprising of a High Powered Committee, Task Force and the MOU division in the Department for Public Enterprises. The MOU division communicates the guidelines for the MOU which entails the basic expectations of the Government and the direction the PSE’s must take. A process of negotiation takes place to integrate the priorities of PSE’s into the MOU document and arrive at objectives on a consensus basis. MOU’s are evaluated twice a year, once based on provisional results and the other time on audit results. The evaluation also provides a review mechanism to change the weights on the different parameters for the future. The companies are graded as Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair and Poor.

The MOU system has been successful in increasing the efficiency of the Public Sector Enterprises since:

1)It focuses on achievement of results
2)MOU signing PSE’s are given more autonomy in financial and administrative matters making them more effective
3)MOU’s stress on marketing effort thereby making PSE’s more competitive with the private sector
4)The quarterly performance reviews have now become more targeted since they now evaluate performance in alignment with the overall goals set in the MOU. Hence the MOU mechanism keeps a check on the operation of the PSE and ensures its alignments with the goals of the Government.

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

Working as a District collector in Rajasthan and there is destruction caused by heavy flood which require urgent but careful relief measures Comment

Model Answer:

Working as a District collector in Rajasthan and there is destruction caused by heavy flood which require urgent but careful relief measures .You are asked by some politicians to help them making money out of relief packages . In case if you rejected they threatened you for life.

a) What will you do in this situation ?

Following will my course of action:

Denying the politicians request.

As I am aware of the consequences , I have to be fearless from the politicians .

• I will do my duty to provide relief work as I am duty bound and also morally bound by looking the grievances of the people.
• I will not do any corruption for my long term benefit.
• I will try to persuade the politicians by giving the detail sufferings of the people there .

b) If you do as the politicians say, what ethical issues involved in this?

Ethical issues involved are:

• Duty v\s politician’s verdict
• Fear v\s courage.
• Corruption v\s Sentiments of the sufferings.
• Greed v\s fulfilling my duty.

c) How will you manage the situation?

Ask for police protection as it is a life threatening call from the police.

Direct the police to take action against the politicians.

Center and state govts will be apprised of the situation.

National and local media will be involved.

NATIONAL AFFAIRS

OCTOBER 7th:

Karnataka’s efforts in popularizing millets yield results

• Karnataka’s efforts in popularising millets, which was the staple a couple of generations ago, appears to have yielded results if the indicators of a nationwide study by the National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau (NNMB) to assess urban nutrition is anything to go by.
• Karnataka is the third highest consumer of millet among 16 States studied, with Maharashtra and Gujarat occupying the first two slots. However, the picture is not very rosy in terms of consumption of other food items.
• Except for intake of pulses and legumes and roots and tubers, where Karnataka’s consumption pattern matches with the Indian Council of Medical Research’s (ICMR) recommended daily intake (RDI), it is far behind the RDI in terms of consumption of green leafy vegetables, milk and milk products and fats and oils.
• For years millets were dismissed as the food of the poor. Now, that attitude is slowly shifting and one of the reasons for this is the growing urban demand for organic and nutritious food.
• The demand is high in Maharashtra, Gujarat and Karnataka. It is the lowest in Bihar, Kerala and Assam.
• Karnataka in also the only State to have included millets such as jowar and ragi in its Public Distribution System since July 2015 in accordance with recommendations in the National Food Security Act, 2013.

Indians consume far less than recommended nutritious food

• A nation-wide study, carried out by the National Nutrition Monitoring Bureau (NNMB) to assess urban nutrition, shows not only a great diversity in food consumption in 16 States in the country, but also that Indians consume far less than the recommended quantum of several micro-nutrients and vital vitamins.
• Andaman and Nicobar Islands reported the highest intake of flesh foods, including meat and fish, while Odisha has the highest consumption of green leafy vegetables (GLV). On an average, while the recommended dietary intake of GLV is 40g/Cu/day, the consumption in the country is 24g/Cu/day.
• Madhya Pradesh has the lowest intake of flesh foods, and Kerala consumes the least green leafy vegetables.
• If Madhya Pradesh has a sweet tooth with the highest intake of sugar and jaggery, Odisha and Assam have the highest intake of salt. Rajasthan is high on the intake of fats and oils as well as milk and milk products.
• The study, led by AvulaLaxmaiah, scientist (Director Grade) from the National Institute of Nutrition (NIN), the country’s premier nutrition research institute, was released recently.
• The researchers used the method of a 24-hour dietary recall to collect food and nutrient information from 1.72 lakh people in 16 States.
• While the average intake of cereals and millets was found to be 320g/Cu/day, which is lower than the recommended dietary intake (RDI), the intake of pulses and legumes was about 42g/Cu/day.
• This is on par with the suggested level of the Indian Council of Medical Research, said Dr. Laxmaiah.

For PPF, KVP Aadhaar is mandatory

• The government has made linking Aadhaar mandatory for the Public Provident Fund, the National Savings Certificate and the KisanVikasPatra schemes.
• In four notifications, the government said subscribers had till December 31 to link their Aadhaar to the schemes.
• Every depositor who has not given his Aadhaar number at the time of application shall submit it to the Post Office Savings Bank or accounts office concerned on or before December 31, the notifications said.
• Provided that where Aadhaar number has not been assigned, the depositor shall submit proof of application of enrolment for Aadhaar.
• The government has already made it mandatory to link Aadhaar to PAN by December 31 and to SIM connections by February 2018. Some 135 schemes, including free cooking gas, kerosene and fertilizer subsidy, targeted public distribution system and MGNREGA, are reportedly to be linked to the biometric identification.

Section 354(5) of Crpc revisited

• The court clarified that it was not questioning the constitutionality of the death penalty, which has been well-settled by the apex court, including in Deena versus Union of India and earlier in the Bachan Singh case reported in 1980.
• The court said Section 354 (5) — which mandates death by hanging — of the Code of Criminal Procedure has already been upheld.
• However, the provision of hanging to death may be re-considered as “the Constitution of India is an organic and compassionate document which recognises the sanctity of flexibility of law as situations change with the flux of time.”
• The fundamental right to life and dignity enshrined under Article 21 of the Constitution also means the right to die with dignity, the court said.
• The order comes on a writ petition filed by Delhi High Court lawyer RishiMalhotra, who sought the court’s intervention to reduce the suffering of condemned prisoners at the time of death.
• Mr. Malhotra said a convict should not be compelled to suffer at the time of termination of his or her life.

Neelakurinji set to cast its spell

• With another gregarious blooming of Neelakurinji ( Strobilantheskunthiana ) expected in July next year, managers of the Eravikulam National Park (ENP) are drawing up plans to meet the rush of visitors.
• The mass flowering of the shrub, found in the shola forests of the Western Ghats, was a crowd-puller in 2006 as over five lakh visitors visited the park during the season.
• The park saw around 5,000 visitors a day, much above the visitor capacity of the region.
• The species flowers once in 12 years and the unusually long cycle adds to its charm.Kunthina is usually found at an altitude of 1,600 metres. Munnar and Eravikulam offer the best view of the mass flowering, though the species can be seen up to the Nilgiri hills.
• In 2006, around 70 sq. km. was draped in the purple-blue flowers. Mass flowering was witnessed at Kambakkallu, Kadavari, and Eravikulam.
• In the grasslands of Eravikulam, the plants reach a height of around 50 cm. They may grow up to a metre before the flowers bloom. The flowers are expected to bloom en masse in July next year.
• The hills and valley of Rajamala will be in a floral wrap during the peak season. The visual treat may continue till September, said a park manager.

TheKudumbasree Missionto conserve indigenous seeds

• After empowering rural women folk in the State, the Kudumbasree Mission is gearing up to script another success story by conserving traditional rice seeds of Wayanad.
• “The project envisages to conserve and propagate seven vanishing indigenous rice seeds, including aromatic rice varieties such as Gandhakasala and Jeerakasala; short-term rice seed Palthondi; medicinal rice varieties such as Chenellu and Rakthashali; and long-term term rice seeds such as Veliyan and Adukkan in the district,” P. Sajitha, coordinator, Kudumbasree Mission, Wayanad, told The Hindu .
• The project has been executed through joint liability groups (JLGs) of the mission. The pilot project has been executed by the mission through the Kairaly JLG and five acres of fallow land at Kenichira under the Poothadigrama panchayat has been utilised for the purpose this season.
• “Bioslurry pellet method is an innovative method of rice cultivation developed by AjiKunnel, a progressive farmer at Ambalavayal in the district, and it will save both time and money as there is no need to prepare a nursery for paddy plants,” said K.P. Jayachandran, assistant coordinator, Kudumbasree Mission, Wayanad.
• The mission is planning to expand the project on 300 acres next year. “We will buy the seeds after harvest from the JLG group at a premium price and disburse it to 300 JLGs in the district next season to promote the seeds,” Mr. Jayachandran said.
• The Kudumbasree State Mission has allotted Rs. 1 lakh for the project and the Agriculture Department would provide an incentive of Rs. 50,000 for the JLG under the HarithaKeralam Mission, he said.

Reopening Gandhiji assassination case

• The Supreme Court appointed an amicus curiae to investigate if it is possible to reopen the Mahatma Gandhi assassination case.
• A Bench led by Justice S.A. Bobde appointed Amarendra Sharan as amicus curiae to go into the legal issues in considering an investigation to find out if there was a “larger conspiracy” behind the Mahatma’s assassination.
• Pankaj KumudchandraPhadnis has filed a petition seeking constitution of a Commission of Inquiry for the investigation. The Bombay High Court had rejected his plea by Mr. Phadnis.
• His petition has sought the expunging of remarks derogatory to Marathi people in general and Veer Savarkar in particular, by the J.L. Kapur Commission, which investigated the assassination.
• The Bombay High Court dismissed the petition on June 6 last year on the ground that the findings were recorded by a competent court and confirmed right up to the apex court and, secondly, the Kapur Commission had submitted its report and made the observations in 1969.

Trends in greenhouse gas emissions have gone up in 2016 in India

• Trends in global CO2 and total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions show that India’s emissions have gone up by 4.7% in 2016, according to the latest report by PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency.
• For most major GHG emitters in the world, the emission figures have gone down, barring India and Indonesia.
• The Dutch strategic agency’s report shows that emissions in the U.S. saw a fall of 2%, the Russian Federation 2.1%, Brazil 6.1%, China 0.3%, and, within the European Union, the United Kingdom 6.4%. The report’s data is based on the Emission Database for Global Atmospheric Research (EDGAR) produced by the European Union.
• In 2016, the five largest emitting countries and the European Union accounted for 68% of total global CO2 emissions and about 63% of total global GHG emissions. Most of the emissions consist of CO2, about 72%.
• But methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O) and fluorinated gases (F-gases) also make up substantial shares of 19%, 6% and 3%, respectively. Over the past two years, total global greenhouse gas emissions, excluding those from land use change and forestry, have shown a slowdown in growth, reaching 49.3 gigatonnes CO2 equivalent in 2016.
• Over the past three years, non-CO2 GHG emissions have continued to grow somewhat faster than CO2 emissions: by 1.5% (2014), 1.2% (2015) and 1.0% (2016). CO2 over the same period increased by a respective 0.8%, -0.2% and 0.3%.
• Globally, the combined share of non-CO2 greenhouse gas emissions is about 28% in total GHG emissions, but it varies for the largest countries: 11% for Japan and 31% for India.
• China’s current share is estimated at 20%, that of the United States and the European Union at 23%, and Russia’s at 25%.
• Emissions do hurt the environment, but then the EDGAR database that this report draws upon only looks at emissions from 1990 onward when the whole world woke up to the problem of climate change. CO2 emissions have a 100-year residence period in the atmosphere. So, if you include the cumulative emissions data from before 1990, every developed nation will outnumber India.
• According to India’s own submission at the United Nations, its cumulative emission is 3 % of the global emission.

SC lifts veil on Collegium recommendations

• In a historic move to usher in transparency, the Supreme Court Collegium, headed by Chief Justice of India Dipak Misra, has resolved to go public with all its recommendations to the government on judicial appointments, transfers and elevations to the High Courts and the Supreme Court.
• The recommendations will be uploaded on the Supreme Court's official website.
• The Collegium will further “indicate” the reasons for which it has decided to recommend or reject names for appointment, transfer or elevation to the High Courts and the Supreme Court.
• As a start, the Supreme Court has already posted online detailed reasons for its October 3, 2017 recommendations for judicial appointments to the Madras HC and the Kerala HC. The details are now available online under the heading “Collegium Resolutions”.
• Shrouded in mystery
• The decision taken by Chief Justice Misra's Collegium to open up is unprecedented. During its entire existence of 24 years — ever since it was introduced in the Second Judges case judgment in 1993 — the Collegium's working has been shrouded in mystery.
• The secretive nature of the functioning of the Collegium continued through the tenures of 20 Chief Justices of India.

Uniqueness of Indian species

Must watchable video to know more about Indian species in Tamil
கண்டிப்பாக பார்க்க வேண்டிய காணொளிக்காட்சி , தவறவிடாதீர்கள்.

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IMPACT OF GST AFTER 90 DAY'S

தொண்ணுறு நாட்களுக்கு பிறகு GST (சரக்கு மற்றும் சேவை வரி)யின்  தாக்கம் பற்றி அறிய இந்த காணொளியை பார்க்க.....

மேலும் எங்களை தொடர்பு கொள்ள
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Target UPSC 2018

Follow these things to keep in mind for people who are all going to attempt UPSC 2018

✌commit and deliver 100% - No compromise here
stick to minimum resources and revise it again and again
- have "The Right Guru" to sail you through this journey - Good luck for all those who think they can do it by themselves.
- leave all ego issues: whether to join coaching or not
- control extreme thoughts
- stay calm, composed and relaxed all time! - It's a pretty long journey
- don't listen to too many people - they will spoil
- take one week time and decide the optional - once your decided there should be no turning back: whatsoever it be
- read the news paper or watch the news to stay abreast of all the recent developments.
- Preparing for UPSC completely using online is a complete hoax, Online is always like a complimentary thing in your preparation. Please engage with your guru's or your guide face to face. Don't waste your money buying some online program

That's it

If you do follow the above steps 100% you will definitely clear this exam! Even if it is 99.9 percent you won't clear it!

 So to know how your doing 100% is through tests and evaluations. Every-time you write prelims test series or mains answers - make sure your improving for every single test or answer!

Rules are simple - we should leave all our ego's and give it the respect this exam deserves.

RBI Introduces 200 Denomination Banknote

The Reserve Bank of India will issue on August 25, 2017 ₹ 200 denomination banknotes in the Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series, bearing signature of Dr. Urjit R. Patel, Governor, Reserve Bank of India from select RBI offices, and some banks. The new denomination has Motif of Sanchi Stupa on the reverse, depicting the country’s cultural heritage. The base colour of the note is Bright Yellow. The note has other designs, geometric patterns aligning with the overall colour scheme, both at the obverse and reverse.

Courtesy -RBI

The image and salient features of Rs.200 denomination banknotes in the Mahatma Gandhi (New) Series are as under:


Obverse (Front)

1. See through register with denominational numeral 200

2. Latent image with denominational numeral 200

3. Denominational numeral २०० in Devnagari

4. Portrait of Mahatma Gandhi at the centre

5. Micro letters ‘RBI’, ‘भारत’, ‘India’ and ‘200’

6. Windowed security thread with inscriptions ‘भारत’ and RBI with colour shift. Colour of the thread changes from green to blue when the note is tilted

7. Guarantee Clause, Governor’s signature with Promise Clause and RBI emblem towards right of Mahatma Gandhi portrait

8. Denominational numeral with Rupee Symbol, ₹ 200 in colour changing ink (green to blue) on bottom right

9. Ashoka Pillar emblem on the right

10. Mahatma Gandhi portrait and electrotype (200) watermarks

11. Number panel with numerals growing from small to big on the top left side and bottom right side

12. For visually impaired
Intaglio or raised printing of Mahatma Gandhi portrait, Ashoka Pillar emblem, raised Identification mark H with micro-text ₹ 200, four angular bleed lines with two circles in between the lines both on the right and left sides

Reverse (Back)

13. Year of printing of the note on the left

14. Swachh Bharat logo with slogan

15. Language panel

16. Motif of Sanchi Stupa

17. Denominational numeral २०० in Devnagari

Dimension

18. Dimension of the banknote will be 66 mm × 146 mm

Supreme Court's judgment on Right to Privacy

In a landmark decision that will affect the lives of all Indians, the Supreme Court on Thursday unanimously declared that individual privacy is a "guaranteed fundamental right".

◆The verdict by a nine-judge Constitution bench could now test the validity of Aadhaar, the controversial biometric identification project the government has been pushing but critics have opposed as intrusive. (LIVE updates)

◆The judgment may also have a bearing on broader civil rights as well as a law criminalising homosexuality. A ban imposed on the consumption of beef in many states and alcohol in some could also come up for review.

◆Issuing the ruling, the bench said right to privacy was at par with right to life and liberty, and that the verdict will protect citizens' personal freedom from intrusions by the state.

◆The bench, headed by chief justice JS Khehar, comprises justices J Chelameswar, SA Bobde, RK Agrawal, RF Nariman, AM Sapre, DY Chandrachud, SK Kaul and S Abdul Nazeer.

★Key conclusions from the judgment:

1. Life and personal liberty are inalienable rights. These are rights which are inseparable from a dignified human existence. The dignity of the individual, equality between human beings and the quest for liberty are the foundational pillars of the Indian Constitution;

2. Judicial recognition of the existence of a constitutional right of privacy is not an exercise in the nature of amending the Constitution nor is the Court embarking on a constitutional function of that nature which is entrusted to Parliament;

3. Privacy includes at its core the preservation of personal intimacies, the sanctity of family life, marriage, procreation, the home and sexual orientation. Privacy also connotes a right to be left alone.

4. Personal choices governing a way of life are intrinsic to privacy.

5. ...privacy is not lost or surrendered merely because the individual is in a public place. Privacy attaches to the person since it is an essential facet of the dignity of the human being;

6. Technological change has given rise to concerns which were not present seven decades ago and the rapid growth of technology may render obsolescent many notions of the present. Hence the interpretation of the Constitution must be resilient and flexible to allow future generations to adapt its content bearing in mind its basic or essential features;

7. Like other rights which form part of the fundamental freedoms protected by Part III, including the right to life and personal liberty under Article 21, privacy is not an absolute right. A law which encroaches upon privacy will have to withstand the touchstone of permissible restrictions on fundamental rights.

8. Privacy has both positive and negative content. The negative content restrains the state from committing an intrusion upon the life and personal liberty of a citizen. Its positive content imposes an obligation on the state to take all necessary measures to protect the privacy of the individual.

9. The right of privacy is a fundamental right. It is a right which protects the inner sphere of the individual from interference from both State, and non-State actors and allows the individuals to make autonomous life choices.

10.The privacy of the home must protect the family, marriage, procreation and sexual orientation which are all important aspects of dignity.

11.In a country like ours which prides itself on its diversity, privacy is one of the most important rights to be protected both against State and non-State actors and be recognized as a fundamental right.

12.Right of privacy cannot be denied, even if there is a miniscule fraction of the population which is affected. The majoritarian concept does not apply to Constitutional rights...

13.Let the right of privacy, an inherent right, be unequivocally a fundamental right embedded in part-III of the Constitution of India, but subject to the restrictions specified, relatable to that part. This is the call of today. The old order changeth yielding place to new.

New Cadre Policy For IAS, IPS Officers

A new policy for cadre allocation has been finalized by the Central government for IAS, IPS and other officers, aimed at ensuring "national integration" in the country's top bureaucracy.

CADRE for All India Services 

Officers of all-India services -- the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Police Service (IPS) and Indian Forest Service (IFoS) -- will have to choose cadres from a set of zones instead of states.

The officers of the three services are currently allocated a cadre state or a set of states to work in.

They may be posted on central deputation during the course of their service after fulfilling certain eligibility conditions.

The existing 26 cadres have been divided into five zones in the new policy proposed by the personnel ministry.

Zone-I has seven cadres -- AGMUT (also known as Arunachal Pradesh-Goa-Mizoram and Union Territories), Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, Rajasthan and Haryana.

Zone-II consists of Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha, while Zone-III comprises Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

West Bengal, Sikkim, Assam-Meghalaya, Manipur, Tripura and Nagaland will constitute Zone-IV, while Zone-V will have Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

The new policy will seek to ensure that officers from Bihar, for instance, will get to work in southern and north-eastern states, which may not be their preferred cadres, a personnel ministry official said.

"This policy will ensure national integration of the bureaucracy as officers will get a chance to work in a state which is not their place of domicile," the official said.

He said the new policy would help in upholding the rationale behind the all-India services.

"All-India service officers are supposed to have varied experiences which can be earned when they work in a different state, which is new to them. The officers may not be able to experiment new things if they work in their own domicile state," the official said.

Under the new policy, candidates appearing for the civil services examination-- conducted annually by the Union Public Service Commission -- will have to first give their choices in a descending order of preference from among the various zones.

"Thereafter the candidates will indicate cadres in order of preference from each zone," it said. A candidate can list all 26 cadres, following this process.

The preference for the zones will remain in the same order and no change will be permitted there, the policy said.

"If a candidate does not give any preference for any of the zones/cadres, it will be presumed that he has no specific preference for those zones/cadres," it said.

If candidates are not allocated any one of the cadres for which they have indicated a preference, they shall be allotted along with other candidates any of the remaining cadres, arranged in an alphabetical order, where there are vacancies, the policy said.

Candidates will be allotted their home cadre on the basis of merit, preference and vacancy in the category, it said. The official said while the policy had been finalized, it had not been decided when it would be put into effect.

OBC Creamy Layers

Creamy Layers(OBC's) annual income has been increased from 6 lakh rupees to 8 lakh rupees.

மத்திய அரசு தேர்வுகளில் OBC(Other Backward Classes) என்பது இரண்டு வகை creamy layer,non-creamy layer இதில் OBC க்கான  சலுகை non-creamy layer வகுப்பை சார்ந்தவர்க்கு மட்டுமே உண்டு '
அதாவது பெற்றோரின் ஆண்டு வருமானத்தை பொறுத்து அமையும், பெற்றோரின் ஆண்டு வருமானம் 8 லட்சத்திற்கு மேல் இருந்தால் creamy layer வகுப்பில் வருவர் அவர்களுக்கு எந்த சலுகையும் கிடையாது ..அதாவது அவர்கள் பொது பிரிவில் (general category) வந்து விடுவர்.. பெற்றோரின் ஆண்டு வருமானம்   8 லட்சத்திற்கு குறைவாக இருந்தால் non-creamy layer பிரிவில் வருவர் .இவர்களுக்கு மட்டுமே  OBC சலுகை கிடைக்கும்

இதில் UPSC நடத்தும் IAS, IPS, IFS.. போன்ற பதவிக்கான சிவில் சர்வீஸ் தேர்வினை  non-creamy layer மட்டுமே 9 முறை 35 வயது வரை எழுதலாம்
அதுவே  creamy layer யாக இருந்தால்,அதாவது  பெற்றோரின்  ஆண்டு வருமானம்  8 லட்சத்திற்கு மேல் இருந்தால் 6 முறை 32 வயது வரை மட்டுமே தேர்வு எழுத முடியும்

முன்பு பெற்றோரின் ஆண்டு வருமானம்  6 லட்சம் என்பதை 8 லட்சமாக  உயர்த்தி உள்ளார்கள்.

SSC Exmanaion and Syllabus

Staff Selection Commission - Combined Graduate Level Examination, often referred to as SSC CGL is an examination conducted to recruit staff to various posts in ministries, departments and organisations of the Government of India. It is conducted by the Staff Selection Commission for selecting staff for various Group B and Group C posts.

Check out this link for all SSC Exmanation and its syllabus

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