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National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO) Syllabus subtopic: Challenges to Internal Security through Communication Networks, Role of Media and Social Networking Sites in Internal Security Challenges, Basics of Cyber Security Prelims and Mains focus: on the cyber security threat concerning India; on NTRO News: Although India is the fifth most important target of cyber threats, the country does not focus enough on security during the technology development process, National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO) chairman told an audience of cyber security experts at the cyber security Nullcon conference at Dona Paula in Goa. Need of the hour India needs to be…
Internet Shutdowns in India Syllabus subtopic: Challenges to Internal Security through Communication Networks, Role of Media and Social Networking Sites in Internal Security Challenges, Prelims and Mains focus: about the study and its key findings; trends in internet shutdowns in India News: Data on internet shutdowns in India is available in the public domain and compiled by Software Freedom Law Centre (SFLC). Key findings The number of preventive internet shutdowns enforced by the central and the state governments in India saw a major spike between 2017 and 2019, and as many as 95 of these lasted for…
KrOOk vulnerability Syllabus subtopic: Basics of Cyber Security Prelims and Mains focus: about KrOOk and its threat News: At the RSA 2020 security conference in San Francisco, security researchers from Slovak antivirus company ESET will present details about a new vulnerability that impacts WiFi communications. What is it? Named Kr00k, this bug can be exploited by an attacker to intercept and decrypt some type of WiFi network traffic (relying on WPA2 connections). According to ESET, Kr00k affects all WiFi-capable devices running on Broadcom and Cypress Wi-Fi chips. These are two of the world's most popular WiFi chipsets, and…
Thal Sena Bhawan Syllabus subtopic: Various Security Forces and Agencies and their Mandate. Prelims and Mains focus: on the details of the new structure and its significance; about GRIHA News: Defence Minister performed the stone-laying ceremony for the proposed ‘Thal Sena Bhawan’ of the Army in the Delhi cantonment. About Thal Sena Bhawan The building spread over 39 acres opposite Manekshaw centre in Delhi cantonment will bring together Army headquarters split into eight pockets across Delhi. Presently, the Army Headquarters is split into eight pockets across South Block, Sena Bhawan, Hutments Area, R.K. Puram, Shankar Vihar and other places,…
Karbis against ST status for hill Bodos in Assam Syllabus subtopic: Security Challenges and their Management in Border Areas Prelims and Mains focus: on the issue and concerns raised by Karbis; about Bodo Accord; CAA; Assam Accord News: An Assam-based insurgent group of Karbis, which signed a ceasefire agreement with the Centre, has demanded that the Bodos in the hill areas not be given the Scheduled Tribe status as it will affect the “identity of the Karbis”. Background The Home Ministry, the Assam government and Bodo groups signed the pact on January 27 to redraw and rename the Bodoland…
Steps were taken by the office of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Syllabus subtopic: Various Security Forces and Agencies and their Mandate. Prelims and Mains focus: about Chief of Defence Staff: mandate and significance; about other initiatives in the Indian defence sector News: The office of the Chief of Defence Staff is working on a tentative timeline that will see the establishment of an air defence command by end of the year, a peninsula command by 2021-end, and the first of the theatre commands by the end of 2022. 1. Air Defence Command It is the first joint command to…
Kashi Mahakal Express Syllabus subtopic: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc. Prelims and Mains focus: about the train: route, significance etc; about jyotirlingas News: PM Modi flagged off the latest religion-themed train, the Kashi Mahakal Express in Varanasi, the PM’s constituency. Details of the train The Lord Shiva-themed train connects, for the first time, places related to three jyotirlingas—Omkareshwar near Indore, Mahakaleshwar in Ujjain, and Kashi Vishwanath in Varanasi. The commercial run of the thrice-a-week train will start from February 20. Railway PSU Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) will be running this as the third…
Locust attack in Punjab Syllabus subtopic: Major Crops - Cropping Patterns in various parts of the country Prelims and Mains focus: on the locust attack; threat and action were taken to contain it News: Swarms of locusts were spotted in two border villages of Punjab’s Fazilka district, prompting the state Agriculture Department to sound a high alert. Where did the attack originate from? Emanating from Pakistan, the swarms of pests — three to four-km-long and one km wide — settled in the trees in these border villages. What is the threat? Any failure to control the pests could…
Global Health Emergency Syllabus subtopic: Issues Relating to Development and Management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources. Prelims and Mains focus: on the coronavirus outbreak and its effect on the world; reasons for WHO declaring it a global health emergency News: The death toll in China from the new coronavirus reached 213, with overall cases worldwide rising rapidly in an outbreak that the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a global health emergency. Reason for the declaration The WHO was declaring a global health emergency because it was concerned about the virus spreading to countries that did…
Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM) System Syllabus subtopic: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc Prelims and Mains focus: about A-CDM and its benefits News: Guwahati has become the eighth Indian airport to implement an Airport Collaborative Decision Making (A-CDM) system. About A-CDM The ACDM system uses aircraft's expected time of arrival, runwayinuse and runway handling capacity among other factors to determine the aircraft's arrival and departure sequence. The system improves the performance of airport operations and ensures a smooth arrival and departure sequence for airlines. Airport CDM (A-CDM) is about partners (airport operators, aircraft operators/ground…
Centre, Assam govt. sign accord with Bodo groups Syllabus subtopic: Linkages between Development and Spread of Extremism. Prelims and Mains focus: on the Bodo Accord and its significance; on Bodo tribe News: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the Assam government and Bodo groups signed an agreement to redraw and rename the Bodoland Territorial Area District (BTAD) in Assam, currently spread over the four districts of Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa and Udalguri. Background Several Bodo groups, led by the All Bodo Students Union (ABSU), have been demanding separate land for the ethnic community since 1972, a movement that has claimed…
Pathalgadi Movement Syllabus subtopic: Linkages between Development and Spread of Extremism. Prelims and Mains focus: About the Pathalgadi movement and its impact on the internal security of India; About Birsa Munda and his contribution News: Seven persons were taken hostage and later killed, allegedly by armed supporters of the Pathalgadi self-rule movement, in a village in West Singhbhum district of Jharkhand, on Wednesday. The killings were said to be a fallout of an old rivalry between supporters of the Pathalgadi movement and those against it. Background In its first cabinet decision on December 29, the Hemant Soren government dropped…
Paradip Port Syllabus subtopic: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc. Prelims and Mains focus: about the details of the project and its significance; Ports of India, About National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) News: An inter-ministerial panel has approved a Ministry of Shipping proposal for deepening and optimisation of inner harbour facilities of the Paradip Port Trust. Details of the project A panel chaired by the Department of Economic Affairs Secretary, after consultations with the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Shipping and NITI Aayog, recently gave in-principle approval to this project. The project will be taken up on a common user…
Naga-Kuki conflict in Manipur Syllabus subtopic: Security challenges and their management in border areas Prelims and Mains focus: on the Naga-Kuki conflict and its impact on India’s internal security; on the strategic importance of the Northeast region News: Umbrella organisations of two tribes have called a truce in Manipur after almost four decades of violence and uneasy existence. About the two groups in conflict The conflict between the Nagas and the Kukis in 1993 had claimed more than 230 lives and displaced 1,00,000, mostly Kukis. The NNPGs, which have been in talks with New Delhi since 2017, comprise…
Bru refugee crisis Syllabus subtopic: Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security. Prelims and Mains focus: about the resettlement agreement to be signed and its significance; about Bru tribe News: An agreement to end the 22-year-old Bru refugee crisis may be signed on Thursday when Union Home Minister Amit Shah meets Chief Ministers of Mizoram and Tripura and representatives of Bru tribes. Background The Brus inhabit an area spread across parts of Mizoram, Tripura and the Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh. In 1997, the Bru National Union passed a resolution demanding an Autonomous…
Indian Coast Guard Ship (ICGS)- Annie Besant Syllabus subtopic: Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate Prelims and Mains focus: details of the two ICGS; contributions of Annie Besant and Amrit Kaur; about Indian Coast Guard News: Two Indian Coast Guard Ships (ICGS) — Annie Besant and Amrit Kaur — second and third in the series of five Fast Patrol Vessels (FPV) were commissioned by Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar at Kolkata on Sunday About the ships ICGS Annie Besant has been named in honour of Ms Annie Besant, an esteemed socialist and her eminent achievements towards the nation.…
Department of Military Affairs (DMA) Syllabus subtopic: Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate Prelims and Mains focus: about the DMA: composition and ambit; about territorial army News: The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has approved the rules of business for the newly created Department of Military Affairs (DMA), headed by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), defence sources said on Friday. Background Two studies on the cadre review of officers and JCOs and ORs were carried out by the Army when Gen. Rawat was its chief. However, they were awaiting necessary approvals from the government for implementation. On…
Northeast Gas Grid Syllabus subtopic: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways etc. Prelims and Mains focus: about the Northeast gas grid project and its significance; Natural gas and its advantages News: The Cabinet on Wednesday decided to provide Rs 5,559-crore viability gap funding (VGF)/capital grant for the North East Gas Grid project. About the project It aims to connect all the eight states (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura) of the Northeast with a 1,656-km network of natural gas pipelines for Rs 9,265 crore. The VGF amount is 60 per cent of the estimated…
Air defence command plan on Syllabus subtopic: Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate Prelims and Mains focus: about the move and its significance; CDS: mandate and functions News: In his first meeting with the officials of the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff, the Chief of the Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat, outlined priorities toward creating an air defence command and common logistics support pools as part of measures to create jointness and synergy among the three services. The areas identified for jointness and synergy include the creation of common logistics support pools in stations where two or more services…
AFSPA extended in Nagaland for six months Syllabus subtopic: Security challenges and their management in border areas; linkages of organized crime with terrorism Prelims and Mains focus AFSPA- features, draconian provisions, misuses and need for review. News: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has declared the entire State of Nagaland as a “disturbed area” for six more months, under the controversial Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) which empowers security forces to conduct operations anywhere and arrest anyone without prior notice. Background The AFSPA has been in force in the Northeast since 1958. Nagaland got statehood in 1963. Presently, AFSPA,…
CDS: Govt notifies retirement age at 65 Syllabus subtopic: Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate Prelims and Mains focus: About the Chief of Defence Staff; its mandate, role and significance News: The Central government on Saturday notified the retirement age for the newly created post of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) as 65 years, which will be three years more than the retirement age of the three service chiefs. The service chiefs, when appointed, are usually given a tenure of three years or till they attain the age of 62 years, whichever is earlier. There is…
Chief of Defence Staff gets Cabinet nod Syllabus subtopic: Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate Prelims and Mains focus: about the newly created post of CDS and its significance News: The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister, on Tuesday approved the creation of the post of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and the charter of duties. Background PM Modi, in his Independence Day address this year, announced the appointment of a CDS. Following this, the Implementation Committee was constituted to determine and finalise the ``exact responsibilities, an enabling framework`` for this new post. As part of higher-level…
SEBI rolls out a stewardship code for all mutual funds and AIFs Syllabus subtopic: Statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies Prelims and Mains focus: on the stewardship code and its significance; on mutual funds, AIFs, SEBI and its functions News: The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) on Tuesday announced the Stewardship Code for all mutual funds (MFs) and all categories of alternative investment funds (AIFs). About the Stewardship Code Under the Stewardship Code, the market regulator has asked fund houses and AIFs to formulate a comprehensive policy on the discharge of their stewardship responsibilities and how institutional…
Japan govt. proposes the release of Fukushima water Syllabus subtopic: Disaster and disaster management. Prelims and Mains focus: on the Fukushima nuclear disaster and its impact; concerns regarding releasing contaminated water into the sea News: On Monday, Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry proposed gradually releasing the water into the ocean or allowing it to evaporate, saying a controlled discharge into the sea would “stably dilute and disperse” it. The ministry ruled out alternatives like continuing to store it in tanks or injecting it deep into the ground. Abe’s Cabinet will make the final decision. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s…
Turkey to sign off on military pledge to Libya Syllabus subtopic: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests, Indian diaspora. Prelims and Mains focus: About the crisis in Libya and geographical locations related to ir related to it; challenges for the international community for peace in Libya News: Turkey moved closer to military support for Libya’s internationally recognised government when a bilateral deal that provides for a quick reaction force if requested by Tripoli was sent to Parliament. Background Late last month, Ankara and Tripoli signed expanded security and military accord and, separately,…
Shore temple facing severe sea erosion Syllabus subtopic: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times. Prelims and mains focus: the Shore Temple at Mahabalipuram, Pallava architecture, effects of climate change on ancient monuments in India News: The shoreline on the northern side of the Shore Temple in Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu is facing severe sea erosion. The Public Works Department is awaiting funds to construct groynes for coastal protection at a cost of 95.95 crores. According to PWD, every year, nearly 45 m of the shoreline near the temple…
Bougainville votes for independence from Papua New Guinea Syllabus subtopic: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India's interests, Indian diaspora. Prelims and Mains focus: About the referendum in the archipelago and related geographical regions on the world atlas News: The South Pacific islands of Bougainville have overwhelmingly voted to be independent of Papua New Guinea, the referendum commission said on Wednesday, in a historic poll that will embolden separatists as they start negotiating the terms of their sovereignty. Background Bougainville's quest for independence is one of the dozens of separatist movements in play around the…
Global warming alters rainfall pattern Syllabus subtopic: Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclones etc., geographical features and their location- changes in critical geographical features (including water bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes. News: Global warming has altered a key weather system and that may be whetting cyclones in the Bay of Bengal, decreasing winter rain in north India and altering global rainfall patterns, a study by a team of Indian and U.S. researchers has found. Prelims and Mains focus: key findings of the study, Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO)…
HOW DO INSECTS, AND PESTS WIPE OF AJANTA CAVE PAINTINGS? Context: The Archaeological Survey of India is carrying out precautionary treatments to protect Ajanta cave paintings. Ajanta caves : 1. Ajanta caves are a series of 30 Buddhist caves located in the Aurangabad district, Maharashtra. 2. This site is declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. It encompasses both Theravada (Hinayana) and Mahayana Buddhist traditions. 3. It is built on 6th century a.d.. 4. It is located along Waghura river. 5. It was under the patronage of Satavahanas, Vakatakas, Chalukyas and Yadavas. 6. Only 5 are Chaityas , rest are…
GUPTA DYNASTY EMPEROR SKANDAGUPTA CONTEXT : Union home minister Amit Shah recently inaugurated an international seminar at BHU on the role of Gupta dynasty emperor Skandagupta, He extolled the greatness of Skandagupta, Shah said history has been unfair to Gupta period rulers. WHO WAS SKANDAGUPTA ? # Skandagupta Vikramaditya was the last great Gupta Ruler. # He ascended to the throne in 455 AD and is known to have crushed the White Huna Invasion and also the Pushyamitras in the early years of his invasion itself ( Bhitari pillar inscription ). # In his12 years of rule, he defended the great culture of India . # …
The study calls for lowering the age of consent Syllabus subtopic: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation. News: A new study calls for a need to distinguish between self-arranged marriages among older adolescents and forced child marriages to protect teens from social stigma, parental backlash and punitive action Prelims and Mains focus on Laws on this issue need for change. Findings of the study: The study makes a case for an age of consent that is lower than the age of marriage to decriminalise sex among consenting older adolescents to protect…
Office of Profit Syllabus subtopic: Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure. News: President Ram Nath Kovind has rejected a petition demanding disqualification of 11 AAP MLAs belonging to the Aam Aadmi Party for allegedly holding the office of profit. The decision of the President to reject the plea is based on an opinion rendered by the Election Commission. Prelims focus: About office of profit and its conditions Mains focus: Criticisms and controversies and ways to address them. About the issue In March 2017, a petition was filed before the President seeking disqualification of…
China proposes to treat Alzheimer’s with a new drug Syllabus subtopic: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sectors/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources News: China recently announced that a new drug, meant to potentially treat Alzheimer’s disease, will be available to Chinese patients by the end of this year. Called GV-971 or “Oligomannate”, it is a seaweed-based drug, administered orally. Prelims and Mains focus All about Alzheimer’s, treatment and concerns. About Alzheimer’s disease It is a progressive brain disorder that typically affects people older than 65. When it affects younger individuals, it is considered early onset. The disease destroys brain…
Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), 1958 Syllabus subtopic: Security challenges and their management in border areas; linkages of organized crime with terrorism News: The Cabinet Secretariat has notified rules reasserting the Union Home Ministry as the authority that would decide on the imposition of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) in the Union Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. Prelims and Mains focus: AFSPA- features, draconian provisions, misuses and need for review. About AFSPA In simple terms, AFSPA gives armed forces the power to maintain public order in “disturbed areas”. They have the authority to prohibit…
Polavaram Project Syllabus subtopic: Major crop cropping patterns in various parts of the country, different types of irrigation and irrigation systems storage, transport and marketing of agricultural produce and issues and related constraints; e-technology in the aid of farmers. News: Work on the mega Polavaram irrigation project was recently resumed by the new contractor, Hyderabad-based Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd. Prelims focus on Key facts on the Polavaram project. Mains focus: Significance and issues associated with the project. Context: Work on the mega Polavaram irrigation project was recently resumed by the new contractor, Hyderabad-based Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd. About…
Cyclone Maha Syllabus subtopic: Important Geophysical phenomena such as earthquakes, Tsunami, Volcanic activity, cyclones etc., geographical features and their location- changes in critical geographical features (including water bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes. News: Cyclone Maha likely to bring heavy rain to south Gujarat from Nov 6 Prelims focus: about cyclone Maha, regions affected by its impact Mains focus: on cyclones, their formation and effects About cyclones: Cyclone refers to any spinning storm that rotates around a low-pressure center. The low-pressure centre is also referred to as the 'eye' of the…
GS-IV: Prize for peace News The Norwegian Nobel Committee awarded this year’s Peace Prize to Abiy Ahmed, the Prime Minister of Ethiopia. Reasons for the prize: It is a recognition of his efforts for peace in East Africa. Mr. Abiy, became Prime Minister in April 2018 after his predecessor Hailemariam Desalegn resigned amid a political crisis and social unrest. He has taken steps to politically stabilise the country and establish peace on its borders. Conflict with Eritrea: Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia in 1991 and has fought a disastrous border war during 1998-2000 with its big neighbour. It split thousands…
GS-IV: Issues in the debate around setting an age limit for IVF News A 74-year-old woman from AP was recently recorded as the oldest in the world to give birth to twins through in-vitro fertilization or IVF. The medical community has expressed ethical and medical concerns over conception at such an advanced age. Why this is a concern? The average life expectancy of an Indian woman is 70 and of a man 69 and the medical community has expressed concerns over the future of children born to such an elderly couple. Medical technology has reached a stage where we can…
GS-I: Stolen Nataraja Idol on the way back to Tamil Nadu after 37 years. Nataraja: Its important to keep in mind that the bronze Shiva as Lord of the Dance (“Nataraja”—nata meaning dance or performance, and raja meaning king or lord), is a sacred object that has been taken out of its original context in fact, we don't even know where this particular sculpture was originally venerated. In the intimate spaces of the Florence and Herbert Irving South Asian Galleries in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Shiva Nataraja is surrounded by other metal statues of Hindu gods including the…
GS-IV: It’s time officers renewed their commitment to the nation, not the government of the day News We often hear questions on the integrity of civil services, organisations such as the Enforcement Directorate and the CBI and the intentions of taxmen when they do some tasks as part of their job. Background There is a belief that the country’s “rusted steel frame” poses a challenge. But not many concrete measures to offer that can strengthen and refurbish it. Civil services training The training academies in Mussoorie, Hyderabad, Nagpur, Baroda, Shimla, etc. are state-of-the-art and well-equipped to enhance the skills of…
GS-I: Which country has the most number of languages? Not India NEWS The Pacific island nation of Papua New Guinea has the highest number of ‘living’ indigenous languages in the world (840), while India stands fourth with 453. Background 2019 is the United Nations’ International Year of Indigenous Languages In 2016, the UN’s Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues pointed out that 40% of the estimated 6,700 languages spoken around the world were in danger of disappearing Several languages are now “endangered” For languages like Tiniguan (Colombian origin), there is just a single native speaker left Chinese, Spanish, English, Hindi and…
GS-IV: A case against punishing non-compliance with CSR guidelines Context To mandate that private firms donate a part of their revenues to charitable causes is to profoundly misunderstand both the social responsibility of corporations and the meaning of the word donation. Arguments against punishing non-compliance The fundamental social responsibility of corporates is to generate wealth for shareholders in a law-abiding, ethical and sustainable way. They generate surpluses for society, provide consumers with goods and services that they need, create employment, purpose and dignity among workers, and strengthen the nation. A profitable, well-run corporation does more for India and its people…
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07 March, 2020
