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FEBRUARY 21.02.2021 CURRENT AFFAIRS A MAGAZINEFOR CIVILSERVICESPREPARATION
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GS 2 : Polity, Governance, International Relations
1. Modi, Morrison discuss media Bill
Context:
Conversation between Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison.
Details:
India and Australia being comprehensive strategic partners, are working together on issues like COVID-19, the circular economy, oceans and an open, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific. The two leaders also discussed the progress of Australia’s media platform Bill. o Under the News Media and Digital Platforms Mandatory Bargaining Code Bill 2020, tech and social media giants such as Facebook and Google will have to pay local news outlets for using their content. o The Australian law would force Facebook and Alphabet Inc’s Google to reach commercial deals with Australian publishers or face compulsory arbitration. The move is being studied worldwide as it will set a precedent in the use of Web-based news and content. Legislation is being studied worldwide given that many governments are struggling to contain online platforms. The Indian government too is looking at reining in major social media platforms.
2. An estimate of WASH across healthcare facilities in India
Context:
Study into the cost of ensuring WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) in healthcare facilities of India.
Background:
Lack of WASH facilities:
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www.vishnuias.com A 2019 joint global baseline report by WHO and UNICEF had pointed out that globally, one in four healthcare facilities lacked basic water servicing and one in five had no sanitation service and 42% had no hygiene facilities at point of care.
Concerns with low coverage of WASH provisions:
Inadequacies in proving WASH and also lack of infection prevention and control can lead to healthcare associated infections. Pathogens like Acinetobacter baumannii, Enterococcus faecalis, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhi, Streptococcus pneumoniae have been implicated as causative agents of healthcare associated infections because of their ability to develop resistance to antibiotics. Around 8,27,000 people in low and middle-income countries die as a result of inadequate water, sanitation and hygiene each year. Approximately, death of 2,97,000 children under five years can be prevented each year if better WASH could be provided.
Details:
The study estimates that improving WASH across the pubic healthcare facilities in India and maintaining this for a year would cost $354 million in capital costs and $289 million in recurrent expenses. The study finds that the most costly interventions were providing clean water, linen reprocessing and sanitation while the least expensive were hand hygiene, medical device reprocessing and environmental surface cleaning.
Significance of WASH strategy:
Developmental goal:
The status of WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) in healthcare facilities is an important issue in development. Ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation is one of the 2030 sustainable development goals.
Infection prevention and control:
WASH is related to infection prevention and control. WASH interventions can help reduce healthcare-associated infections among mother and neonates across the Indian healthcare system. In the fight against the spread of antimicrobial resistance, prevention of infections is an important aspect.
Cost effective intervention:
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www.vishnuias.com A 2012 WHO report had calculated that for every dollar invested in sanitation, there was $5.50 to be gained in lower health costs, more productivity and fewer premature deaths. Addressing gaps in WASH across the Indian healthcare system is affordable when compared to other national health campaigns and provides a cost effective health intervention in the Indian context with limited recourses available for health interventions.
Way forward:
There is the need for a concerted effort from local bodies, State and Central governments to sustainably address quality and inequality issues in WASH provision. There is the need to combine the WASH initiative with other national efforts to address health priorities. The intersection between WASH, infection prevention and control and antimicrobial resistance offers policy makers an opportunity to address multiple overlapping problems through interventions on WASH in healthcare facilities.
3. Proposal to amend the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 approved
In news
The Union Cabinet has approved the proposal to amend the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 to introduce measures for strengthening Child Protection set-up to ensure best interest of children. Ministry: Ministry of Women and Child Development
Key takeaways
The amendments include authorizing District Magistrate (DM) to issue adoption orders under Section 61 of the JJ Act, in order to ensure speedy disposal of cases. The DMs have been further empowered to ensure its smooth implementation. Eligibility parameters for appointment of CWC members have been defined. Previously undefined offences have been categorised as ‘serious offence’. Several difficulties faced in implementation of various provisions of the Act have also been addressed.
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www.vishnuias.com 4. Process of delimitation in respect of UT of J&K
In news
Delimitation Commission held a meeting recently with the Associate Members from UT of J&K. Objective: To seek their suggestion on the process of delimitation in respect of the UT.
Important value additions
Delimitation is the act of redrawing boundaries of Lok Sabha and state Assembly seats. Objective of delimitation: To provide equal representation to equal segments of a population; fair division of geographical areas so that one political party doesn’t have an advantage over others in an election. Constitutional provisions: Under Article 82, the Parliament enacts a Delimitation Act after every Census. Delimitation is carried out by an independent Delimitation Commission. Delimitation Commissions have been set up four times — 1952, 1963, 1973 and 2002 There was no delimitation after the 1981 and 1991 Censuses.
GS 3 : Economy, Science and Technology,Environment
5. Wettest place on Earth sees decreasing trend in rainfall
Context:
Research on the changes in rainfall pattern across India.
Background:
Cherrapunji was previously the wettest place on earth but now Mawsynram is the wettest place in the world. Mawsynram receives over 10,000 millimetres of rain in a year.
Details:
Decreasing trend of rainfall:
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www.vishnuias.com The study which looked at the rainfall pattern in the past 119 years (period of 1901–2019) found a decreasing trend at Cherrapunji and nearby areas. The study noted that the annual mean rainfall for the period 1973–2019 showed decreasing trends of about 0.42 mm per decade.
Factors affecting the trend:
Researchers have noted that the changes in the Indian Ocean temperature have a huge effect on the rainfall in the region. The role of humans is also another significant factor affecting the observed change in rainfall pattern. Satellite data analysis shows a reduction in the vegetation area in northeast India in the past two decades, implying that human influence also plays an important role in the changing rainfall patterns. There has been a marked increase in areas of cropland from the year 2006 onwards. o The traditional way of cultivation known as Jhum cultivation or shifting cultivation and developmental activities in the region has contributed to deforestation.
Concerns:
Northeast India is highly sensitive to changes in regional and global climate. The first signs of the effect of climate change will be evident for the extreme cases such as the rainfall at Cherrapunji. Northeast India has the highest vegetation cover in India and includes 18 biodiversity hotspots of the world, and thus is important in terms of its greenery and climate-change sensitivity.
Way forward:
There is the need to conserve the vegetation or forest areas in the northeast. Solid waste and waste water management strategies are inevitable to combat climate-induced changes of water bodies and ground water. Given the climate sensitivity of the region long-term plans for sustainable development are necessary.
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www.vishnuias.com 6. P-Notes:
Context:
Participatory notes of Overseas Derivative Instruments have a tendency to raise the hackles of the regulators.
Outstanding P-notes hitting a 31-month high in November is likely to have caused considerable consternation.
What’s the Concern?
These instruments have gained notoriety on account of their rampant misuse prior to 2008. The anonymity provided by P-notes, where the final owner can be concealed from regulators, had led to entities using this route to round-trip funds.
What has the SEBI said?
There is no real cause for alarm; these instruments account for only 2 per cent of FPI assets currently.
But, why there is an increase in value of outstanding P-notes?
1. The rally in stock prices has resulted in inflating the value of existing P-note holdings. 2. There has been a great surge in FPI inflows this fiscal, with investments so far exceeding ₹2,42,000 crore.
What are Participatory Notes?
Participatory Notes or P-Notes (PNs) are financial instruments issued by a registered foreign institutional investor (FII) to an overseas investor who wishes to invest in Indian stock markets without registering themselves with the market regulator, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
Key points:
1. P-Notes are Offshore Derivative Investments (ODIs) with equity shares or debt securities as underlying assets. 2. They provide liquidity to the investors as they can transfer the ownership by endorsement and delivery. 3. While the FIIs have to report all such investments each quarter to SEBI, they need not disclose the identity of the actual investors.
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THE INDIAN EXPRESS
GS 2 : Polity, Governance, International Relations
1. Australia Vs Facebook: News Media Bargaining Code
Context: Australian PM Morrison has launched a global diplomatic offensive to drum up support for Australia’s proposed law (News Media and Digital Platforms Mandatory Bargaining Code Bill 2020).
The bill mandates a bargaining code that aims to force Google and Facebook to compensate media companies for using their content
Australian PM has reached out to Indian and Canadian PM to discuss on such type of regulations.
Australia’s legislation – Voluntary Mechanism was not the solution
Back in 2017, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) recommended a voluntary code with an aim to address the negotiating skew between major digital platforms and media businesses Based on these recommendations, the Australian government in 2019 asked various stakeholders and the ACCC to develop this voluntary code. The ACCC, however, pointed out in April 2020 that the businesses were not likely to reach an agreement voluntarily. This paved way for drafting a mandatory code. The provision of mandatory code requiring Google & FB to enter into payment negotiations with media companies — with an arbiter mandated to adjudicate if no agreement is reached — or face heavy fines, has met with resistance. The arbiter is deemed important mainly for smaller publishers who may face a negotiation skew with the platforms. European authorities have specifically linked payments to copyright, without putting a forcing device into the agreements. Australia’s code, on the other hand, is almost entirely focused on the bargaining power of news outlets vis-à-vis the tech majors, and has some coercive features as well.
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www.vishnuias.com What is the core issue between Tech Giants and Regulators?
While links to news may not be direct advertising money-spinners for Facebook or Google, both see the presence of news as an important aspect of audience engagement with their products. Google and Facebook are two of the largest and most profitable companies in history – and each holds far more bargaining power than any news publisher. The news media bargaining code sets out to undo this imbalance. The fight in Australia is in fact, centred on how much control these companies would be able to retain on their payout process — operational aspects such as deciding the quantum of payments for news feed sources, and having to reveal changes in their algorithm
Response by Tech Giants
Threatens: In January 2021 when bill was being introduced, Google threatened to remove its search engine from Australia, and Facebook warned it could block Australian users from posting or sharing news links. Arguments of Google & FB: They say that the media industry was already benefiting from traffic routed to them by the digital platforms, and that the proposed rules would expose the Internet companies to “unmanageable levels of financial and operational risk”. Conciliatory position of Google: Google has backtracked and has moved ahead to sign a deal with one of the News Corporation Retaliation by FB: However, Facebook— which has 17 million users in Australia — retaliated with a news blackout, blocking all news links on its platform. Consequences of FB’s actions: In the process, FB also ended up silencing some emergency services, and reportedly removed posts from Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology, state health departments, fire and rescue services, charities, and emergency and crisis services.
The Debate in India
According to a FICCI-EY report for 2020, there are 300 million users of online news sites, portals and aggregators in the country — making up approximately 46% of Internet users and 77% of smartphone users in India at the end of 2019. With 282 million unique visitors, India is the second largest online news consuming nation after China. In India, digital advertising spends in 2019 grew 24% year-on-year to Rs 27,900 crore and are expected to grow to Rs 51,340 crore by 2022.
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www.vishnuias.com A substantial discussion on the impact of intermediary platforms on the health of news media outlets is yet to begin in any meaningful way.
Conclusion
Australia’s legislation sets a precedent in regulating social media across geographies, and is being closely watched the world over.
2. SC refuses petition against M.P. ordinance:
Context:
The Supreme Court has declined to entertain a petition challenging the validity of the controversial Madhya Pradesh ordinance regulating religious conversions through inter-faith marriages. Instead, it asked the petitioner to approach the High Court.
What did the petitioner say?
The plea said the law, which followed a similar ordinance made by Uttar Pradesh, infringed a person’s right to privacy and freedom of choice, leading to violations of fundamental rights under Articles 14, 19(1)(a) and 21 of the Constitution. Similar law is in force in Uttarakhand.
Key Provisions of the Madhya Pradesh Dharmik Swatantrata (Freedom of Religion) Bill 2020:
1. Seeks to regulate inter-faith marriages in the state. 2. Exempts reconversion to parental religion from its purview. 3. Jail term of up to 10 years and a fine of ₹1 lakh for “conversion through marriage or other forcible means”. 4. Seeks to prohibit religious conversions or an attempt of conversion by means of misrepresentation, allurement, threat, undue influence, coercion, marriage, and any other fraudulent means. 5. The conspiracy and (the act of) abetting a person for conversion has also been prohibited. 6. Forceful conversions and marriages will be a cognizable offence and be non- bailable.
Supreme Court on Marriage and Conversion:
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www.vishnuias.com The Apex Court of India in its several judgements has held that the state and the courts have no jurisdiction over an adult’s absolute right to choose a life partner. The Supreme Court of India, in both the Lily Thomas and Sarla Mudgal cases, has confirmed that religious conversions carried out without a bona fide belief and for the sole purpose of deriving some legal benefit do not hold water.
3. Quad Meeting
Why in News
Recently, India joined Australia, Japan and the United States for a ministerial meeting under the Quadrilateral grouping (Quad) and discussed issues across Indo-Pacific and the military takeover in Myanmar.
Key Points
. Meeting Highlights: o Discussed contemporary challenges, especially the impact of Covid-19 and agreed to enhance access to affordable vaccines, medicines and medical equipment. o Discussed countering disinformation, counter-terrorism, maritime security, and the “priority of strengthening democratic resilience in the broader region”. o Emphasised their commitment to upholding a rules-based international order, underpinned by respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, rule of law, transparency, freedom of navigation in the international seas and peaceful resolution of disputes. o Reiterated their “common vision for a free, open and inclusive Indo- Pacific region, with clear support for ASEAN cohesion and centrality”, and noted that the Indo-Pacific concept had “gathered growing international support, including in Europe”. o Discussed climate change and cooperation in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief and supply chain resilience. o Agreed on holding ministerial meetings of the Quad at least once a year and meetings at senior and working levels on a regular basis to bolster cooperation on advancing a free and open Indo-Pacific. . Significance: o The meeting, held in the backdrop of the ongoing withdrawal of Chinese forces from positions along the Line of Actual Control, underlines that India’s interest in the Quad is not tactical but profoundly strategic.
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www.vishnuias.com For India, the Quad is also about addressing the growing power imbalance with China that has manifold consequences for India’s security and prosperity as well its regional and international standing. o It signalled the new USA administration’s commitment to the Quad as a key formation in the Indo-Pacific. The momentum behind the Quad picked up in 2020 in the wake of the Covid-19 crisis, China’s growing assertiveness, and deterioration of China’s bilateral relations with all Quad partners. o Chinese officials have likened the Quad to a “mini NATO” and said its activities are aimed at targeting third parties, a charge rejected by the four members of the group. NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) is a political and military alliance whose primary goals are the collective defence of its members and the maintenance of a democratic peace in the North Atlantic area.
Quad
. Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) is an informal strategic dialogue between India, USA, Japan and Australia with a shared objective to ensure and support a “free, open and prosperous” Indo-Pacific region. . The idea of Quad was first mooted by former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2007. However, the idea couldn’t move ahead with Australia pulling out of it, apparently due to Chinese pressure. . In December 2012, Shinzo Abe again floated the concept of Asia’s “Democratic Security Diamond” involving Australia, India, Japan and the USA to safeguard the maritime commons from the Indian Ocean to the western Pacific. . In November 2017, India, the USA, Australia and Japan gave shape to the long-pending "Quad" Coalition to develop a new strategy to keep the critical sea routes in the Indo-Pacific free of any influence (especially China). . In 2020, all four Quad Countries - Japan, India, Australia and the USA took part in the Malabar exercise. o Malabar exercise is an annual trilateral naval exercise between the navies of India, Japan, and the USA which is held alternately in the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
4. Roads on Arunachal Border
Why in News
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www.vishnuias.com The Union government approved more than Rs 1,100 crore for critical infrastructure development in Arunachal Pradesh.
. The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) also cleared a proposal for construction of 32 roads under phase II of the Indo-China Border Roads (ICBR) scheme. . Earlier, the government followed a restrictive policy and areas along the China border were not developed much.
Key Points
. Critical Infrastructure Development in Arunachal Pradesh: o Most projects have been earmarked in areas along the China border in the north and northeast part of Arunachal. o It includes motorable roads, mule tracks and facilities for porters. It envisages construction of roads and 18 foot-tracks measuring 598 km. This will enhance the capabilities of Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), which maintains vigil along the border. These tracks can be used by the Army to supplement the main border roads for transportation of men and material. . Indo-China Border Roads Scheme: o The first phase was initiated in 2005, when it was decided that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) would construct 27 priority roads totalling 608 km along China areas at an estimated cost of Rs. 912 crore and other 14 roads will be built by agencies such as the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). Some of the important projects include the Darbuk-Shayok- Daulat Beg Oldie (DS-DBO) road and Rohtang tunnel in the Ladakh; and in the northeast, the Sela Tunnel and a road and rail tunnel under the Brahmaputra river with Indian Railways. o Under phase II of the Indo-China Border Roads (ICBR) scheme, the roads, measuring 638.12 km and amounting to Rs. 12,434.90 crore, are to come up in Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. . Importance of Roads near Arunachal Border: o Arunachal shares its longest border with China, followed by Myanmar and Bhutan. Further, China claims the entire Arunachal Pradesh as South Tibet. o Lack of proper communication and other basic facilities in the border areas not only affects the local population but also is a major cause of concern from the country’s security point of view.
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www.vishnuias.com o Insurgency in the north-east, smuggling and illegal migration are factors that demand more restricted border security. o Encroachment: China has made rapid strides in border areas of Arunachal by setting up new villages and a labyrinth of road network, including highways. . Other Related Steps: o India will spend 10% funds of the Border Area Development Programme (BADP) only to improve the infrastructure along the China border. o The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has constructed the Daporijo bridge over Subansiri river in Arunachal Pradesh. It links roads leading upto the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between India and China. o The Defence Minister has virtually laid the foundation of a tunnel at Nechiphu in West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh. o The state government of Arunachal Pradesh has advocated selection of 10 census towns along the India-China border as pilot projects for infrastructure development in order to stop people living along its international borders, specifically with China, from migrating to faraway urban centres in the State. o The Sisseri River Bridge is located at lower Dibang Valley in Arunachal Pradesh, connecting Dibang Valley and Siang. o In 2019, the Indian Air Force inaugurated resurfaced runway at India’s easternmost Village-Vijaynagar (Changlang district) in Arunachal Pradesh. o In 2019, the Indian Army conducted exercise ‘HimVijay’ in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam with its newly created Integrated Battle Groups (IBG). o Bogibeel bridge, which is India’s longest road-rail bridge connecting Dibrugarh in Assam to Pasighat in Arunachal Pradesh was inaugurated in 2018.
GS 3 :Economy, Science and Technology,Environment
5. UK to conduct first Human Challenge Trials for COVID-19
In news
The UK is set to conduct the first COVID-19 human challenge trials (HCT) within a month from now.
Vishnu IAS Academy |UPSC Prelims|UPSC Mains | UPSC Optional ANTHROPOLOGY 14
www.vishnuias.com Conducted by: UK government’s Vaccines Taskforce, Imperial College London, the Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust and the clinical company called hVIVO.
Key takeaways
The trial was first announced in October 2020. In this study, over 90 healthy volunteers between the ages of 18-30 will be deliberately exposed to small amounts of the virus in controlled settings, Objective: To test treatments and vaccines. In this way, the participants are “challenged” by the virus. This is not the same as standard vaccine clinical trials.
Significance: HCTs are able to give more precise information about the disease and its effects on humans, and also give results about the efficacy of vaccines on infected humans.
Prelims practice Questions
1. Consider the following statements about the state of Arunachal Pradesh:
1. The state shares international borders with China and Myanmar only. 2. It was formed out of Assam with the 55th amendment to the Indian Constitution. 3. Gayal is the state animal of Arunachal Pradesh.
Which of the statements given above is/are not correct?
A 1 and 2 only B 2 and 3 only C 1 only D 1, 2 and 3
Answet : C
Explanation
. During the British Colonial Rule, until 1972, Arunachal Pradesh was known as the North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA).
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www.vishnuias.com o On 20th January, 1972, it became a Union Territory and named Arunachal Pradesh o The state was formed out of Assam in the year 1987 through the 55th amendment to the Indian Constitution in 1986, Arunachal Pradesh became the 24th state of the Indian Union on 20th February, 1987. Hence, statement 2 is correct. . Biodiversity: State Animal of Arunachal Pradesh is Mithun (also known as Gayal). Hence, statement 3 is correct. o The State Bird is Hornbill . Geographical Location: In the west, Arunachal Pradesh is bordered by Bhutan and in the north falls the Tibetan region of China. o In the Southeastern region falls Nagaland and Myanmar and to the southwestern region falls Assam. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
2. “Aoleng” and “Lao Ong Mo” are the festivals of which of the following tribes?
a. Konyak Nagas b. Khasi c. Bodo d. Kuki
Answer: a Explanation:
Aoleng is the biggest festival of the Konyak Nagas. It is the festival celebrated to welcome the spring (in April). Lao Ong Mo is the traditional harvest festival celebrated in the months of August/September.
3. Which of the following Ministry has launched Nurturing Neighbourhoods Challenge?
a. Ministry of Women and Child Development b. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare c. Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs d. Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
Answer : c
Nurturing Neighbourhoods Challenge
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www.vishnuias.com It is an initiative of Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA) in collaboration with the Bernard van Leer Foundation (BvLF) and technical partner WRI India It is a 3-year initiative aimed at supporting early childhood-friendly neighbourhoods under the government’s Smart Cities Mission. It aims to address the need for early childhood amenities in government office premises, bus shelters and transit hubs. The selected cities for the ‘Nurturing Neighbourhoods Challenge’ will receive technical assistance, capacity building and scale-up support to experiment, and implement trials and pilots over the next six months
4. Which of the following statements are incorrect with respect to Certified Jute Seed Distribution Plan
1. It is launched by Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare. 2. It aims to provide 100% Certified Seeds at subsidized rate to Jute farmers
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
a. 1 only b. 2 only c. Both 1 and 2 d. Neither 1 nor 2
Answer : a
Certified Jute Seed Distribution Plan
Certified Jute Seed Distribution Plan will expand usage of certified seeds to over 55% area under Jute Cultivation. The Ministry of Textiles has launched a Certified Jute Seed Distribution Plan under Jute ICARE Program.
Jute ICARE Program
Improved Cultivation and Advanced Retting Exercise for Jute (Jute ICARE) was launched in 2015. The programme was initiated by the National Jute Board (NJB) in association with Central Research Institute for Research in Jute and Allied Fibres (CRIJAF) & Jute Corporation of India (JCI).
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www.vishnuias.com It aims mechanization in jute farming in a farmer-friendly way and accelerated retting using microbial consortium for improved income for jute farmers.
5. Consider the following statements about Sambhar Lake:
1. It is the largest inland saltwater lake of India. 2. It is a wetland of international importance. 3. The lake receives water mainly from Ghaggar and Banas rivers.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A 1 and 2 only B 2 only C 3 only D 1, 2 and 3
Answer :A
Explanation
. Sambhar Lake is the largest inland salt lake in India. It represents the depression of the Aravalli Range. Hence, statement 1 is correct. o The lake’s salt supply was worked by the Mughal dynasty (1526–1857) and it was later owned jointly by the Jaipur and Jodhpur princely states. . It is a wetland of ‘international importance’ under the Ramsar Convention, declared in 1990. Hence, statement 2 is correct. . The area occupied by this lake differs from season to season, so roughly it is between 190 and 230 sq km. o Also, being an extensive saline wetland, the depth of the lake also fluctuates from season to season. During peak summers (dry time), the depth measures as low as 60 cm but during the monsoons, it goes up to 3 m. . It receives water from six rivers, namely Samaod, Khari, Mantha, Khandela, Medtha, and Roopangarh. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.
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www.vishnuias.com 6. With reference to Indian Anti-tank Guided Missile, consider the following statements:
1. Helina and Dhruvastra are Anti-tank guided missiles for the Indian Airforce and Army respectively. 2. DRDO has developed anti guided NAG Missiles under the Project 75I.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A 1 only B 2 only C Both 1 and 2 D Neither 1 nor 2
Answer : D
Explanation
. Helina and Dhruvastra are anti-tank guided missiles for the Army and Indian Air Force respectively. Hence, statement 1 is not correct. . Nag is a third-generation, fire-and-forget, anti-tank guided missile developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) to support both mechanized infantry and airborne forces of the Indian Army. o DRDO has developed nag Missiles under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program. Hence, statement 2 is not correct. . Project 75 India (P75I) envisages the construction of six conventional submarines with better sensors and weapons and the Air Independent Propulsion System (AIP). The project has been cleared under the strategic partnership model.
Mains Practice Questions
1. Domestic abuse is one among many other social challenges posed by the conditions created by the pandemic. Discuss
Approach:
. Define the term violence against women with an emphasis on domestic abuse.
Vishnu IAS Academy |UPSC Prelims|UPSC Mains | UPSC Optional ANTHROPOLOGY 19
www.vishnuias.com . Establish the link between the recent surge in domestic violence cases and COVID-19. . Briefly explain the causes behind domestic violence and challenges associated. . Discuss various steps need to be taken. . Conclude suitably.
2.“Wherever the art of medicine is loved, there is also a love of humanity.” Analyse this statement in light of India’s pharmaceutical capabilities and responsibilities amid the novel coronavirus pandemic across the world.
Approach:
. Discuss India’s position in the global pharmaceuticals sector. . Mention the issues involved like rising demand for medicines, the moral obligation of India and challenges. . Mention India’s response to the global crisis. . Conclude the answer with advantages associated.
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