Lucent IAS CURRENT AFFAIRS NOVEMBER 2019 A magazine for APSC CCE and UPSC CSE Includes Assam related topics for APSC Specific topics for UPSC CSE-2019 Personality Tests Includes interview transcript of Mr. Tapan Deka, IRS , UPSC CSE-2016 Copyright © by Lucent IAS All rights are reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission of Lucent IAS 1 History and Culture Page 4 5.11 Ayodhya verdict 1.1 Excavation in Gottiprolu 5.12_ Sabarimala Case 1.2 Rashtriya Ekta Diwas 5.13 Contempt of court 1.3 UNESCO Creative cite network 5.14 Essar steel verdict 5.15 Citizenship amendment bill 1.4 Chavang Kut 5.16.Equal representation for all states in Rajya sabha 1.5 Thiruvalluvar 5.17 Opacity around electoral bonds 1.6 Travellers quoted in Ayodhya judgement 5.18.Evolution of anti-defection law 1.7_Suranga Bawadi 5.19 NATGRID 1.8_World Monuments Fund 5.20 Right to Carry Business 1.9 Udham Singh International Relation Page 46 1.10 GI Textiles 6.1 India China and Nepal relation 1.11 Lala Lajpat Rai 6.2 EAST ASIA SUMMIT Geography Page 12 6.3 QUAD initiatives 2.1 Dwarf Planet 6.4 Agreement on Reciprocal Logistics Support (ARLS) 6.5 BIMSTEC Port conclave 2.2 SCOJTEX 6.6 No Money For Terror Conference 2.3 RED ATLAS ACTION PLAN MAP 6.7 Kalapani dispute 2.4.Danakil depression 6.8 International Seeds treaty 2.5 Tiger TRIUMP 2.6 Samudra Shakti: Economy Page 52 2.7 Cyclone bulbul: 7.1 Global Microscope Report 2.8 Geochemical baseline Atlas 7.2 WTO ruled against India’s export Subsidies 2.9.Pliosaurs 7.3 Electoral bonds: 7.4 CMIE report on Joblessness 2.10_Chagos Archipilego 7.5 Adjusted Gross Revenue in telecom sector 2.11 Lightening 7.6 Balance of Trade and RCEP 2.12 Cyclones so far in the Indian Ocean: 7.8 ICEDASH and ATITHI initiative 2.13 Coalbed methane 7.9 SkillBuild platform Society and welfare Page 16 7.10 Steel scrap recycling policy 3.1 PISA 7.11 Core Investment company 3.2 Free internet access for poor: Kerela government 7.12 Alternative Investment Funds 3.3 Draft Social Security code 7.13 Harmonized system code 7.14 Diamond Quadrilateral Bullet Train project 3.4 Global Migration Report 7.15 Base Year in GDP calculation Health and Education Page 22 7.16 Project Zero 4.1 Highlights of the 14th edition of the NHP 7.17 International Symposium on Lighting (iSoL) 4.2_RAAH App 7.18 BHIM UPI 4.3_Lancet report on premature death 7.19 Financial firms under IBC 4.4.The India Hypertension Control Initiative (IHCI) 7.20 India Asean FTA 4.5 Bharatiya Poshan Krishi Kosh 7.21 PM Kisan man dhan yojana 4.6 Social Awareness and Action to Neutralise Science and Technology Page 65 Pneumonia 8.1 Pegasus Spyware 4.7_Intensified Mission Indradhanush 2.0 8.2 Indigen Genome 4.8 Smart Safety Surveillance 8.3 Glyphophate herbicide 8.4 Voyager 2 Polity Page 27 8.5 Cloud Seeding 5.1 Jammu and Kashmir bifurcation 8.6 Nationwide Artificial Insemination Programme 5.2 Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA 8.7_X-57 Maxwell 5.3 Second Judges case 1993 8.8_Arrokoth 5.4 India Justice Report 2019 8.9_International treaty on plant genetic resources 5.5 5.5 Office of Profit 8.10 Starlink project 5.6 T N Shehshan 8.11_Spicules in Sun 8.12_Gravastars 5.7 National Water Policy 8.13_Budapest convention on cyber security 5.8 CJI Office under comes under RTI 8.14_Cartosat and its applications 5.9 President’s rule in Maharashtra 8.15_Fastags 5.10 Doctrine of Essentiality Environment Page 76 9.1 UNFCCC COP 25 2 9.2_Public health Emergency Assam and North East (General Studies 9.3_Red Atlas Action Plan 9.4_IND-AIR Paper 5) Page 86 10.1_Naga Peace accord and Naga flag 9.5_Climate Finance 10.2_First ever movement of container cargo in 9.6_Nirmal Tat Abhiyan Brahmaputra 9.7_Acqua alta 10.3_“Shishu Suraksha” app launched in Assam: 9.8_Brown to Green report 10.4_Assam roofed turtle: 9.9_Green Climate Fund 10.5_Arundhati scheme 9.10_Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure 10.6 New Land Policy 2019 Assam 9.11_Avian Botulism 10.7 Turtle survival and Gamosa 9.12_Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) 10.8_Chokuwa Rice and Gamosa GI tag 9.13_Recycling of Ships 10.9_Dehumidifier based dehydration for turmeric 10.10_Mithun meat may soon get approval from FSSAI 10.11_Assam in NITI Ayog’s top sic best education states 10.12_Issue of Mid-day meal issue in Assam Topics for UPSC CSE 2019 10.13_Shishu Shuraksha App 10.14 Elephant death and the need t revive the habitats Personality Tests Page 91 10.15_Plan Bee 11.1 Interview transcript of Tapan Deka (UPSC 2016 AIR 859) 11.2 Modern Assam-Foundation of Company rule 11.3 Peasant Movements of Assam Copyright © by Lucent IAS All rights are reserved. No part of this document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission of Lucent IAS 3 HISTORY AND CULTURE 1.1 Excavation by Archaeological Survey of India in Gottiprolu, Andhra Pradesh It is indicated as a Trade Centre of Early Historic Period of Andhra Pradesh. The proximity of the site (at southern coastal location) to the seacoast suggests that the site could have served as a strategic settlement involved in maritime trade. Where is it? Gottiprolu lies on the right bank of a distributary of river Swarnamukhi about eighty kilometers from Tirupati and Nellore(Now renamed as Potti Sriramulu district). Key Points 1. Among many other antiquities unearthed are one life size Vishnu sculpture(Four armed , standing on pedestral) and a wide variety of pottery of the early centuries of current era. 2. The excavation revealed the presence of brick-built structures in different sizes and forms. 3. The available brick sizes are comparable with the Satavahana / Ikshvaku period structures in Krishna valley. 4. On the basis of the brick size and associated findings they can be placed anywhere between 2nd – 1st century BCE or little later (nearly 2000 years old). 5. Other interesting antiquity retrieved is the molded female terracotta figurine with two hands lifted upwards. 6. Other major retrieved antiquities unearthed are copper and lead coins, iron spear head, stone celts, terracotta beads, ear stud in semi precious stone and hopscotches. Important summary 1. The proximity of the site to the seacoast suggests that the site could have served as a strategic settlement involved in maritime trade. 2. These settlements could have been an important trade centre as indicated by the presence of imitated amphorae wares that were mostly used to transport liquid commodities. 3. The findings of assorted stone tools of Palaeolithic and Neolithic periods from secondary contexts suggest that prehistoric people also occupied this area. 4. A series of broken terracotta pipes fitted into one another revealed about the civic amenities maintained by the occupants of this site. The drainage system pattern is understood by the exposed remains of the drainage at the site. Probable Mains Question – In the post-Mauryan era the Satavahana’s not only filled the political vacuum in the Deccan but also contribute immensely to enrich the cultural heritage. Examine the statement with suitable example of recent archaeological findings. 1.2 Rashtriya Ekta Diwas It was observed on 31st October across the nation. It marks the occasion of the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Background: The government, in 2014, decided to observe Sardar Patel Jayanti Day as Ekta Diwas. This occasion provides an opportunity to re-affirm the inherent strength and resilience of the nation to withstand the threats to its unity, integrity and security. About Sardar Vallabhai Patel: Sardar Patel is credited with uniting all 562 princely states in pre-independent India to build the Republic of India. Role in the Indian National Movement: 4 1. 1917– Elected as the Secretary of the Gujarat Sabha, the Gujarat wing of the Indian National Congress. 2. 1918– Led a massive “No Tax Campaign” that urged the farmers not to pay taxes after the British insisted on tax after the floods in Kaira. His effort to bring together the farmers of his area brought him the title of ‘Sardar’. 3. Supported the non-cooperation Movementlaunched by Gandhi and Patel toured the nation with him. 4. 1928– When the lands of farmers were seized after they refused to pay the extra tax to the government, Patel helped the farmers by striking a deal between the government and farmers’ representatives. 5. 1930– Imprisoned for participating in the famous Salt Satyagraha movement initiated by Mahatma Gandhi. 6. 1931- Elected as the President of Indian National Congress in its Karachi session where the party deliberated its future path. 7. Patel was also compelled to use coercion by launching ‘Operation Polo’to liberate and integrate Hyderabad after the Nizam of Hyderabad entertained false hopes of either joining Pakistan or remaining independent. Probable mains question – Discuss the contribution of Sardar Patel in the formation of the Union of India with special highlights on his activities post-1947 1.3 UNESCO Creative cites network UNESCO has designated Mumbai as a member of UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) in the field of FILM and Hyderabad in the field of GASTRONOMY. About UCCN UCCN created in 2004, is a network of cities which are thriving, active centres of cultural activities in their respective countries.