Occupied Territories
 
   These are largely Palestinian territories occupied by Israel during the Six-Day War in 1967, in violation of  the ceasefire line of 1948 War when Israel was established. These include East Jerusalem and West Bank from Jordan, Gaza and Sinai from Egypt, and Golan Heights from Syria.

Antimicrobial Resistance

  It is a major public health challenge in which drugs used to treat infections caused by bacteria,viruses,fungi,parasites etc become ineffective due to changes in these micro-organisms.

  Antibiotic Resistance is a narrower term which refers only to bacterial resistance.

  Superbug is a microorganism which has developed resistance to most antimicrobial drugs.

Brexit and the Irish Border Issue
  
  Soft border is one where free movement of people (apart from goods,capital,etc) is allowed without any border checks, in contrast with a hard border where no such free movement is allowed.

  When the UK exits EU, people of Ireland and Northern  Ireland(which is a part of the UK) fear they might lose the soft border that they now have.

  When Ireland became independent in 1922, Northern Ireland chose to remain in the United Kingdom as the majority Protestants in Northern Ireland did not want to join the Catholic majority Ireland.

  Good Friday Agreement of 1998 ended the Irish Republican Army's violent campaign for secession from UK. Apart from empowerment of Norther Ireland, the Agreement also provided for a soft border between Northern Ireland and Ireland.

Concepts in a Nutshell

Biologics 

   Biological products, or simply "biologics", are medicines isolated from various  natural sources or living organisms by means of biotechnology or other cutting-edge technologies.

Biosimilars

   Biosimilar is a follow on medicine of an existing biologic whose patent has expired. It is like a generic drug on a patent-expired chemical drug. Biosimilars have virtually the same efficacy as biologics. Like generics, biosimilars give affordable access to critical life-saving drugs.

Concepts in a Nutshell

Procedure for Removal of CEC and ECs

   Article 324(5) :

            The Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) can be removed from office in the same manner and on the same grounds as that of a Supreme Court judge.

            An Election Commissioner (EC) can be removed from office only on the recommendation of the CEC.


Crime in India 2016
           
          It is an annual report on crime data in the country released by the National Crime Records Bureau, Ministry of Home Affairs.The NCRB was established in 1986 on the recommendation of the National Police Commission headed by Dharam Vir(1977)


Malnutrition in Children

    Underweight refers to lower weight for age
    Stunting refers to lower height for age
    Wasting refers to lower weight for height

Concepts in a Nutshell

India State Level Disease Burden Initiative

  It is the first report on the burden of various diseases at the level of each state in India. It covers the period between 1990 and 2016. It is a vital data input for state level health planning. Indian Council of Medical Research, Public Health Foundation of India, Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation,USA, and Ministry of Health and Family Welfare have collaborated on the Report 

Epidemiological Transition 

   In general,underdeveloped countries are characterized by infectious and deficiency diseases, while developed countries are characterized by non-communicable and lifestyle  diseases.The general shift from infectious and deficiency diseases to non-communicable diseases in a society is referred to as Epidemiological Transition. This shift is generally not unidirectional,but overlapping.

Concepts in a Nutshell

Bail - out

    It refers to the resolution of a stressed company generally by a government with tax-payers money. 

Bail-in

    It is the resolution of a stressed company from within. It avoids using tax-payers money to bail out businesses.It is the shareholders and creditors themselves who take a hit on their capital.

National Capital Territory

     It is the name given to the union territory of Delhi under Article 239AA of the Constitution, as amended by the 69th Amendment,1991.

National Capital Region

    It is a planning region comprising the NCT of Delhi and the adjoining areas of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Purchasing Managers Index

   It is an index which is constructed from responses given by purchasing managers of businesses.It involves a questionnaire on business prospects this month in contrast with business activity previous month. Out of the three options (better, no change, and worse), one is ticked by purchasing managers. A score above 50 is considered positive, while that below 50 is seen as negative.

  PMI is a lead indicator of economic health, as it hints at possible changes in economic outlook, as against a lag indicator like GDP data which measures actual change after it happens.

National Family Health Survey

   It is a survey conducted across India to gather data on various health and family welfare metrics. International Institute for Population Studies, Mumbai, is the nodal agency for this survey. Beginning with 1992-93, a total of four rounds of NFHS were conducted so far including the latest one in 2015-16. 

WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement

                                        Bali Package

Highlights of the WTO’s Bali Ministerial Conference

A  Trade  Facilitation  Agreement  to streamline trade

Permit  developing countries more options to provide food security

Boost the exports of the least developed countries, and

Promote development

                         

                               Trade Facilitation Agreement

Trade Facilitation Agreement is a multilateral deal to simplify customs procedures which will

    Reduce costs  and corruption

    Improve speed ,efficiency, and transparency

    Improve revenue collection

    Increase trade flows

    Attract foreign investment, and

    Create a stable business environment

The world economy is likely to benefit to the tune of $1 trillion by the agreement.

It is the first comprehensive trade agreement since the inception of the WTO in 1995.The other agreements concluded so far under the  WTO  are the Agreements on financial services,telecommunications,and free trade in information technology products.

Long delays in concluding agreements at the WTO have prompted many countries to arrive at bilateral trade deals or multilateral trade deals among a small group of nations,making the WTO seem irrelevant.In this context, the Agreement on Trade Facilitation marks a paradigm shift in the credibility of the WTO.

Albert Einstein's Two Secrets of Success for You

"You must learn the rules of the game.
And play better than any one else."                                                                           -Albert Einstein



 

Polity Topics for GS Mains Part 2

1) Global Slavery Index
2) Waqf Amendment Bill
3) Jiyo Parsi Scheme
4) Armed Forces Special Powers Act
5) Misuse of Section 66A,IT Act.
6) Hyderabad-Karnataka
7) INS Arihant and India’s Nuclear Policy
8) Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems
9) National E-Governance Plan
10) One Stop Crisis Centres
11) Wal-Mart lobbying
12) Defence Procurement Procedure
13) Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail
14) Paid News
15) Corporate control of media
16) Welfare of Tribals
17) Maha  Kumbh  Mela
18) Sub-Plans for SCs and STs
19) ’Nitaqat’ law in Saudi Arabia
20) Malayalam as a classical language
21) Lucknow Zardozi
22)  Juducial Appointments Commission
23)  Right to Grievance Redressal
24)  Social Media in Elections
25)  Sports Development Bill
26)  Breach of Privilege
27)  National Integration Council
28)  Sports Fraud Bill
29)  Joint Parliamentary Committee
30)  Role of Parliament
31)  Communal and Targeted Violence
32)  Police Act Reforms
33)  Nalanda University
34)  MCOCA
35)  Amending Powers of Indian Parliament 

Economy Topics for GS Mains Part 2

1. WTO Peace Clause
2. Corporate Social Responsibilty  
3. Kirit Parikh Committee on Diesel, Kerosene and LPG prices
4. Mahatma Gandhi  Pravasi  Suraksha  Yojana
5. Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan
6. National Policy on Early Childhood Care and Education
7. Ekalavya Model Residential Schools
8. Slum Free India Mission
9. Marrakesh Treaty
10. Roshini
11. National Policy for Children
12. New bank licenses
13. Jarawa tribe
14. Special Dollar Swap Window
15. Inflation- Indexed Bonds
16. Micro Small and Medium Enterprises
17. Self Help Groups
18. Bosphorous Rail Tunnel
19. Marginal Standing Facility
20. Non Performing Assets
21. Interest Rate Futures
22. Foreign Portfolio Investor
23. P -Notes
24. External Commercial Borrowings
25. Depreciation of Rupee
26. White Label ATMs
27. Diaspora Bonds
28. Algo Trading
29. Plastic Money
30. Priority sector lending
31. NABARD
32. Regional Rural Banks Amendment Act
33. Money laundering
34. MCX-SX
35. Subsidies on Agriculture and Food
36. Primary Agricultural Cooperative Societies as banking correspondents
37. Plastic Parks
38. Banking through post offices
39. Strategic oil storage
40. Zero interest EMI schemes
41. Infrastructure Debt Fund
42. Information Technology Investment Region
43. India Investment Overseas Corporation
44. Standard Training  Assesment and Reward Scheme (STAR)
45. FDI in Pharma sector
46. Cash Management Bills
47. Free Trade LPG Scheme
48. Government Securities
49. National  Testing Agency
50. Four-Year Undergraduate Programme
51. India Post-2012 Project
52. Financial Stability and Development Council
53. SEZ reforms
54. National Agricultural Innovation Project
55. Green Revolution in  Eastern India
56. National Urban Livelihoods Mission
57. National Urban Health Mission
58. India Back Bone Implementation Network
59. Viability Gap Funding
60. Re-capitalisation of PSU Banks
61. Mobile Number Portability
62. Chandrashekhar Committee on Foreign Investment Norms
63. Anthyodaya Anna Yojana
64. Banking Ombudsman
65. Alternative Investment Fund
66. Public Private Partnership
67. Anti-Piracy Scheme
68. National Pharmaceutical Pricing Policy
69. Project Lakshya
70. Mega Food Parks 

S&T Topics for GS Mains Part 2

1. Oliver Ridley Turtle
2.  Ravi Chopra Committee on hydro projects in Uttarakhand
3. Great Indian Bustard
4. Montreal  Protocol
5. Coal Regulatory Authority
6. Illegal sand mining
7. Wildlife Protection Amendment Bill
8. Pacific Marshall  Islands
9. Great Barrier Reef
10. IRIS  ( Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph)
11. Integrated Watershed Management Programme
12. Campaign  Clean India
13. Green Energy Corridor Project
14. Great Indian Rhinoceros
15. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)
16. Carbon credits
17. Environmental Performance Index
18. Kyoto Protocol
19. Kishanganga  Project
20. National Policy on Universal Electronic Accessibility
21. Elimination of Polio
22. National Optical Fibre Network
23. Biometrics
24. Bt Brinjal
25. Pragati Missile
26. Kepler 78b
27. TomTato
28. Biomedical and Health Research Regulation Bill
29. Voyager 1
30. Measles
31. INS Vikrant
32. Sustainable tourism
33. New Anti Biotics Policy
34. Thirty Metre Telescope
35. Television Viewership in Thousands(TVTs) Vs TRPs
36. Telegram
37. Internet Protocol Version 6 (IPv6)
38. GM crops
39. Tianhe-2
40. Bio Food
41. Noah’s Ark
42. Mapathon
43. GEO Imaging Satellite
44. Fire Ice
45. Europa
46. AWACS
47. Red October
48. Organic fertigation
49. Drip Irrigation
50. Ocean – grabbing
51. Human DNA Profiling Bill        
52. The debate  on control over Internet
53. Medical Council of India
54. Quadricycle
55. National Institute of Solar Energy
56. National Teeka Express
57. Satcom Policy
58. Weekly Iron and  Folic  Acid Supplementation Programme
59. National Cyber Coordination Centre
60. Pashmina Goats
61. E-eye Project
62. Japanese Encephalitis
63. Timbuktu manuscripts

Top 20 Essay Topics

1)      20 years of Economic Reforms

2)      Terrrorism

3)      Social Media

4)      Corruption

5)      Women

6)      Judicial Activism & Accountability

7)      FDI

8)      India’s Space Programme

9)      Water

10)  Climate Change

11)  India & Neighbhours

12)  Crime & Politics

13)  Sports

14)  Disaster Management

15)  Sachin Tendulkar

16)  Poverty

17)  Indian Rupee

18)  India’s Nuclear Programme

19)  Electoral Reforms

       20) Small States 

Iran Nuclear Deal

      P+5 and Iran have reached an agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme.

      The deal marks an important shift in US-Iran relations on the back of expectations raised by President Hassan Rouhani.

REASONS

Iran has been crippled by economic sanctions imposed by the UN SC.

The US had also imposed separate sanctions.

Iran’s currency Rial has depreciated by more than 50% last year.

Unemployment has reached an all-time high level.

The prospect of an Arab Spring-like upheaval prompted the Iran regime to agree to the nuclear deal.

      PROVISIONS

      Iran has agreed to :

       Stop enrichment of uranium above 5% purity.

       Neutralize its stockpile of 20%-enriched uranium.

       Not install any more centrifuges.

       Leave most centrifuges in Natanz and Fordo inoperable

       Not build any more enrichment facilities

       Not increase its stockpile of 3.5% low-enriched uranium

       Halt work on heavy-water reactor at Arak

       Not to produce plutonium at Arak.

 Greater access to IAEA inspectors,  including daily access to Natanz and Fordo

 P+5 have agreed to :

 Transfer $7 bn to Iran in installments

      Avoid  further nuclear-related sanctions if Iran meets its commitments

      Suspend sanctions on trade in gold and precious metals, automotive sector, petrochemical exports

      Extend some concessions to Iranian airlines

      Transfer $7 bn to Iran in installments.

             The deal will remain valid for six months, during which a permanent deal will be sought.

 PROBLEM

The future of the deal will depend on the US Congress as it will have to ratify any agreement signed by the US.

           

Reaction

Most countries have welcomed the deal.

India has described the deal as an outcome of dialogue and diplomacy.

However, Israel has termed the deal a historic mistake. It has refused to accept the deal.

Saudi Arabia is opposed to the deal.

Rules of Writing Mains Answers

1)     Interpret the question accurately.

If you do not do this well, you will not get any credit.  

2)     Determine the various  parts  of  the question.

Each part carries specific marks, so you should write all parts.

3)     Explain clearly the issue raised  in the question.

Here write the meaning, definition and essence of the issue.

4)      Mention ,appropriately,the varied views on the issue expressed  by the relevant

a)     Government-appointed committees

b)     Parliamentary committees

c)     Supreme Court rulings

d)     Constitutional, statutory or executive authorities like Election Commission, Comptroller and Auditor General, Planning Commission, National Commissions on Women, Children, SCs, STs, Minorities etc.

e)     Political parties

f)      Eminent persons, NGOs, Civil Society, etc.

g)     Interest groups like ASSOCHAM, FICCI, NASSCOM,

h)     International organizations like UN, IMF, World Bank, etc.

     

5)     Draw conclusions based on objective facts.

6)     Your answers should reflect optimism, faith in the system, incrementalism, the knowledge of the ongoing debate on the issues raised in the question, various available approaches and solutions to the problem, and the maturity and responsibility expected of a civil servant.

International Topics for GS Mains

1)      What is OPCW?

2)      What is Geneva II? Do you think the Syrian crisis has degenerated into a proxy war between Iran and Saudi Arabia?

3)      What contentious issues have soured India’s relations with Sri Lanka?

4)      Why is North Korea threatening the US and South Korea with nuclear strikes?

5)      Examine the prospects for the improvement of Iran’s relations with the international community, in the light of President Hassan Rouhani’s overtures.

6)      What are the main obstacles to the creation of a Palestine state?

7)      What are the issues of friction between Saudi Arabia and the US that prompted the former to reject the UN Security Council seat?

8)      Explain the importance of recent elections in Pakistan?

9)      Why is the US unwilling to act against a nuclear North Korea?

10)   Has the Arab spring failed?

11)   Why is the world worried about ‘Tapering’?

12)   Why is the whole world impressed with Malala Yousafzai?

13)   Explain Iran’s stand on its nuclear program?

14)   Why is the US trying to start a peace process with Taliban?

15)   What issues are highlighted in the Edward Snowden episode?

16)   What is Minamata Convention?

17)  What is ‘Government Shutdown’? Is it a fallout of rigid separation of powers prevalent in the US political system? Substantiate your view.

18)  Discuss the need for reforms to UN Security Council.

19)  Account for the rising friction between the Afghan Government and the US on the eve of the withdrawal of NATO forces from Afghanistan by the end of 2014.

20)  Write a note on the civil war in Mali.

21)  What are LOC and LAC? Give a blueprint to address the roots of the problems arising out of them.

22)  What is Pivot to Asia? What strategic opportunities and challenges does it pose to India’s foreign policy makers?

23)  Write a note on the UN-sponsored Global Arms Trade Treaty.

24)  What issues are likely to dominate the Warsaw Conference on Climate Change?

25)  Give an account of the political crisis in Maldives. Explain India’s stand on the issue.  

Polity Topics For GS Mains

1)      What contentious issues are involved in the formation of Telangana?

2)      Should the political parties be brought under the purview of the Right to Information Act?

3)      Examine the view that the announcement of prime ministerial candidates by political parties before the Lok Sabha elections effectively turns India into a presidential democracy.

4)      What are the implications of the ‘None of the above option’ in elections?

5)      Examine the problem of ‘policy paralysis’.

6)      Give an account of the various measures taken by the government to improve the safety of women.

7)      What are the implications of ‘Judicial activism’?

8)      What measures do you suggest to reduce the misuse of ordinances?

9)      Explain speaker’s power in disposing of letters of resignation.

10)  What measures do you suggest to de-criminalize politics?  

11)  Examine the prospects for peace in Nagaland.

12)  Write a note on the reforms in the Civil Services Examination.

13)  Discuss the concept of extra-territoriality in the light of the Italian marines case.

14)  Discuss the recent controversies surrounding Indian Premier League.

15)  What is your view on the debate regarding opinion polls.

16)  Examine the issue of autonomy for the CBI.

17)  Examine the procedure for the creation of  new states and union territories in India.

18)  Distinguish between a state and a union territory in India.

19)  Critically examine the problem of Left Wing Extremism in India, Suggest effective solutions.

20)  What is Inner Line Permit system?

21)  What contentious issues are involved in the Mullaperiyar Dam controversy?

22)  Examine the new water policy and the proposed water framework law.

23)  Discuss the anti-corruption movement launched by the civil society.

24)  Examine the role of Sardar Vallabhai Patel in modern India.

25)  Analyse the role of Governor vis-à-vis the President in India’s political system.

26)  Discuss the relative robustness of India’s parliamentary system and America’s presidential system.

27)  How does the new Companies Bill improve corporate governance in India?

28)  Examine the sailent features of the Lok Pal Bill.

29)  Examine the current debate on the issue of ‘Unique Identification’ in India.

30)  Critically examine the relevance of death penalty in the light of recent developments.

S&T Topics for GS Mains

1)      Examine the recent government measure to enhance India’s agricultural bio-security.

2)      What is cloudburst? Examine the methods to mitigate its impact?

3)      Discuss the role of National Disaster Management Agency?

4)      Explain the importance of ‘Ecologically Sensitive Zones?

5)      Discuss the need for a regulatory authority in the field of bio-technology?

6)      In the light of the recent Supreme Court verdict on drug patents, critically examine the prospects of India’s drug industry?

7)      Examine the issues involved in the USFDA’S action against several Indian pharmaceutical companies.

8)       Examine the safety of India’s nuclear reactors.

9)      In the context of the NSG waiver, and the discovery of new uranium reserves in India, examine the need for a rethink on India’s thorium-based nuclear energy policy?

10)  Examine the need and significance of Mangalyaan.

11)  Discuss India’s satellite launch capability.

12)  Explain the importance of IRNSS.

13)  Examine the prospects for electric mobility in India.

14)  Examine India’s cyber security, in the light of India’s new cyber security policy.

15)  Explain the importance of bio-pesticides and bio-fertilizers in India’s agriculture.

16)  Discuss the importance of renewable sources of energy for India.

17)  Comment on the decision to translocate a few Gir lions.

18)  Discuss the salient features of the new Mental Health Bill.

19)  Write a note on the digitalization of Cable TV system in India.

20)  What are the 4 D’s with respect to the health of children? How does the Government seek to address them?

21)  Write a note on Rota Virus vaccine.

22)  Discuss the efforts to conserve the Western Ghats.

23)  Examine the impact of Bt cotton.

24)  Write a comparative note on Kedarnath cloudburst and cyclone ‘Phailin’.
25)  Examine the new guidelines on clinical trials.