Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance
Mains Examination:
• General Studies II: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
• General Studies III: Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security.
Key Points to Ponder:
• What’s the ongoing story- Across the Valley, a silent, devastating pandemic of drug addiction is wreaking havoc in families and stretching the public health system to its limits: it’s clogging hospitals and clinics, filling up detention centres with mostly young men, piling up FIRs, taking seizure levels to a new record, leaving a trail of tragedy and loss in its wake, an investigation by The Indian Express has found.
• An investigation of official records reveals what?
• Why drug menace in Jammu and Kashmir?
• For Your Information-The Imhans-K survey’s revelations are startling: during 2022-23, substance abuse in the Valley was as high as 2.87 per cent (of the population) and that of opioid dependence 2.23 per cent (of the population). Just four years ago, opioid prevalence in the whole of J&K (not just Kashmir) was just 1.5 per cent as per a 2019 Central government report on ‘Magnitude of Substance Use in India’. This was significantly lower than Punjab 2.8 per cent, Haryana 2.5 per cent, Delhi 2.3 per cent, and Himachal Pradesh 1.7 per cent – all states of similar size. “The drug problem in Kashmir has crossed a lot of alarming benchmarks,” Dr Rather said. Experts point to a range of factors behind this: from lack of recreation in society to fewer jobs and financial stress; life in a conflict zone and its attendant uncertainties, boredom of lockdown during Covid-19 and, of course, the easy accessibility of heroin. The Imhans-K survey – the first such that covered all 10 districts of Kashmir spearheaded by Rather with a team of 30 field supervisors and five project managers – showed that in all 10 districts of Kashmir put together, 67,468 individuals were seen with a “pattern of dependence on psychoactive substances” between March 2022 and March 2023.
• Experts point to a range of factors behind this-What are the expert opinion for the same?
• What has perturbed psychiatrists and doctors in the Valley?
• What is the Narco-terrorism?
• Narco-terrorism in India-How is it flourishing in Jammu and Kashmir?
• ‘Kashmir is geographically located near the Golden Crescent and hence there is easy availability of heroin’-What is Golden Crescent?
• Map work-‘Golden Crescent’ and ‘Golden Triangle’
• ‘Traditionally India has been seen as sandwiched between the Death (Golden) Crescent and Death (Golden) Triangle’-Discuss
• Golden Crescent and Golden Triangle regions-what are they?
• Global drug Trade and Impact on India-Know in detail
• What are the efforts taken by government to combat Narco-terrorism?
• What is heroin and methamphetamine and how they works in Human Body?
• How the NDPS Act defines Drugs?
• The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (Amendment) Ordinance, 2021 and Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985
• What are Essential Narcotic Drugs (ENDs)?
• Narcotics Control Bureau- Role and mandate
• What is Cannabis or Marijuana?
• What is the main psychoactive component of Charas and Ganja?
• What is Tetrahydrocannabinol and how it works in Human Body?
• In India, how does the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 define cannabis, Charas and Ganja?
• United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances and India-Know in detail
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
📍‘Drug menace bigger threat than militancy, we’re going Punjab way’
Lander departs successfully, 5 days to Moon touchdown
Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance.
Mains Examination: General Studies III: Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
Key Points to Ponder:
• What’s the ongoing story-The Chandrayaan-3 mission moved into the last phase of its journey to the Moon, with the Lander Module successfully separating from the main spacecraft Thursday afternoon. “Thanks for the ride, mate!” ISRO said in a message on microblogging site X, imagining a conversation between the Lander Module and the Propulsion Module. “LM is set to descend to a slightly lower orbit upon a deboosting planned for tomorrow around 1600 Hrs IST,” ISRO said. The Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft comprises two parts. The Lander Module, which also houses the rover component, is designed to travel to the Moon and is expected to land on the lunar surface on August 23.
• What is lander module and propulsion module?
• What is propulsion module’s role?
• What is Spectro-polarimetry of HAbitable Planet Earth (SHAPE)?
• For Your Information-The Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft comprises two parts. The Lander Module, which also houses the rover component, is designed to travel to the Moon and is expected to land on the lunar surface on August 23. The leftover part, the Propulsion Module, whose job was to transport the Lander to the Moon orbit, will continue to go around the Moon for a few months, possibly even years, in an outer orbit. The remaining journey to the Moon would be made by the Lander Module on its own. As of now, it is in an orbit that is roughly about 150 km from the lunar surface. The Lander Module is scheduled to make two orbit-reduction manoeuvres over the coming days, first attaining a circular 100 km x 100 km orbit, then coming down further into a 100 km x 30 km orbit. It is from here that the Lander will begin its final descent to make a touchdown on the Moon next Wednesday. Before that, all the instruments on board the Lander will be activated and tested to check whether they are functioning normally. A successful mission this time would mean India’s entry into a small club of nations who have achieved the feat, the previous three being the US, the former Soviet Union and China. The Propulsion Module, in the meanwhile, will continue to go around the Moon for an as yet unspecified period of time. The Propulsion Module of Chandrayaan-3 has been doing the job of the Orbiter component in Chandrayaan-2. It is equipped with one instrument called SHAPE (Spectro-polarimetry of HAbitable Planet Earth) whose job is to make spectroscopic study of the Earth’s atmosphere from that distance, and try to pick up signals that will help scientists understand the markers of life on planets outside our solar system.
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
📍Chandrayaan-3 lander separates from propulsion module: What happens next?
Goa is the only state with a UCC, left behind by Portuguese: What it looks like
Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Indian Polity and Governance
Main Examination:
• General Studies II: Indian Constitution—significant provisions etc.
• General Studies II: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.
Key Points to Ponder:
• What’s the ongoing story-It was a strange demand. F E Noronha had got a call from the Cabeca de Casal, an administrator appointed to make an inventory of assets for partition in his maternal family, asking for his mother’s dowry certificate. Noronha’s parents married nearly six decades ago and his mother died a few years ago. But the certificate was crucial to decide his mother’s inheritance, which his father would share in half.
• What is Portuguese Civil Code?
• The Portuguese Civil Code of 1867 and “common civil code” of Goa-Connect the dots
• Uniform Civil Code: An equal law?
• For Your Information-One model that is held up as an example is the Portuguese Civil Code – a 156-year-old, 647-page code that was enacted in the Ajuda Palace in Lisbon. The Code continues to govern Goa, and the Union Territories of Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli. After its liberation in 1961, Goa, with a population of just six lakh at that time, retained the Portuguese Civil Code, making it the only state to have a uniform civil code for all religions. This crucial feature of the Portuguese Civil Code that cuts across religions and with laws that govern everything from gender equality in marriage to personal inheritance, is what the Uniform Civil Code aspires to achieve.
Goa’s Portuguese Civil Code, 1867 is basically an alien code given by the Portuguese. Its continuance — and non-enforcement of Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 and Hindu Succession Act, 1956 or Indian Succession Act, 1925 or Shariat (Application) Act, 1937 and Dissolution of the Muslim Marriage Act,1939 etc. in Goa — is an example of legal pluralism, and negation of the very idea of one nation, one law? Is Goa’s Civil Code really as uniform as is generally made out?
Under Article 1 of the Decree of Gentile Hindu Usages and Customs of Goa, 1880, customs of Hindus were preserved and exemptions from the Civil Code were given to gentile Hindus. This decree continued the institution of Hindu joint family, named in Portuguese as sociedade, which technically is closer to a partnership rather than the concept of a Hindu joint family.
The Shariat Act has not been extended to Goa; Muslims are governed by the Code as well as Shastric Hindu law. Those who favour love jihad laws would be surprised to know that under Article 1090 of the Goa Code, marriage cannot be annulled on the ground of religion. Goa’s Civil Code has four parts, dealing with civil capacity, acquisition of rights, right to property, and the breach of rights and remedies. It begins in the name of God and Dom Luis, King of Portugal and Algarves. India’s Constituent Assembly had rejected H V Kamath’s proposal of a similar invocation of God in the Constitution. The Code has survived by virtue of Section 5(1) of the Goa, Daman and Diu Administration Act, 1962 that permitted its continuance. On the contrary, the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 has repealed laws based on local Hindu customs; even Kashmiri Muslims were being governed by such non-Islamic laws and customs.
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
📍The Portuguese Civil Code of 1867 is a colonial burden on Goa
GOVT & POLITICS
President launches Navy’s stealth frigate: Step towards goal of Atmanirbhar Bharat
Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance.
Mains Examination: General Studies III: Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.
Key Points to Ponder:
• What’s the ongoing story- President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday launched the advanced stealth frigate ‘Vindhyagiri’ for the Indian Navy in Kolkata and said its rollout was a step towards achieving the goal of an ‘atmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) through indigenous shipbuilding. The ship was built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers Ltd’s (GRSE) facility at Kolkata.
• What is Project 17A of Indian Navy?
• What are corvettes and frigates in Indian Navy?
• India’s Naval Strength in terms of presence of corvette and frigate in Indian Navy-Know the Data
• What do you understand by Stealth technology?
• ‘Vindhyagiri’- What are the Key Highlights?
• What is a missile frigate?
• For Your Information-Stealth frigate Vindhyagiri is the sixth vessel rolled out as part of the Project 17A Frigate. The five other ships – INS Nilgiri, Udaygiri, Himgiri, Taragiri, and Dunagiri – were launched between 2019 and 2022. Officials said the ship derives its names from the ‘Vindhya’ ranges in Karnataka. According to officials, the P17A ships are guided missile frigates. “They are 149 metres long, with a displacement of approximately 6,670 tonnes and a speed of 28 knots. These ships are capable of neutralising threats in all three dimensions of air, surface and sub-surface,” said a GRSE official.
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
📍Taragiri, the third stealth frigate under Project 17A, launched
Previous Year UPSC Prelims Question Covering the same/similar theme:
📍Which one of the following is the best description of ‘INS Astradharini’, that was in the news recently? (UPSC Prelims, GS1, 2016)
(a) Amphibious warfare ship
(b) Nuclear-powered submarine
(c) Torpedo launch and recovery vessel
(d) Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier
Why remission policy applied selectively, SC asks Gujarat govt
Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance
Mains Examination: General Studies II: Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary—Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity.
Key Points to Ponder:
• What’s the ongoing story- The Supreme Court bench hearing petitions against the premature release of the 11 convicts in the Bilkis Bano case on Thursday asked why the remission policy is being applied selectively to inmates in jails. “How far is this law being applied to inmates in jail? Why are our jails overcrowded? Particularly with undertrials? Why is the policy of remission being applied selectively?” Justice B V Nagarathna, presiding over a two-judge bench, asked Additional Solicitor General S V Raju who appeared for the Gujarat government.
• Who is Bilkis Bano?
• Bilkis Bano case: What did the CBI find in its investigation?
• How did the trial in the case proceed?
• What are the laws on remission?
• Articles 72 and 161 of the Constitution-Know in detail
• What are the grounds for remission?
• Laws on remission and the Bilkis case convict-Know in detail
• What you know about Gujarat’s remission policy?
• How Gujarat’s remission policy applied to Bilkis case?
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
📍Who is 2002 Gujarat riots survivor Bilkis Bano?
Govt, WHO chief stress importance of traditional medicine
Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance.
Mains Examination:
• General Studies II: Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
• General Studies II: Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.
Key Points to Ponder:
• What’s the ongoing story- A year after the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine was set up in India, the country is hosting the first global summit, alongside the ongoing G20 ministerial meeting of the health track, with an aim to help identify areas of collaboration in traditional medicine, Union AYUSH minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on Thursday. The Gandhinagar declaration, the outcome of the health-track meetings conducted over the year, will create a dedicated platform for traditional medicine under the G20 framework.
• What is the WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine?
• Why WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine?
• What is Gandhinagar Declaration?
• What is traditional medicine?
• What are the four traditional systems of medicine?
• What is the difference between traditional medicine and Western medicine?
• What is the process of traditional medicine?
• For Your Information-According to WHO Website, traditional medicine has a long history. It is the sum of the knowledge, skills and practices based on the theories, beliefs and experiences indigenous to different cultures, whether explicable or not, used in the maintenance of health and the prevention, diagnosis, improvement or treatment of physical and mental illness. For centuries, traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) has been an integral resource for health in households and communities. One hundred seventy countries reported on the use of traditional medicine, with acupuncture being the most common form of practice in 113 countries. Many developed countries have also begun recognizing and integrating traditional medicine into their healthcare systems. For centuries, traditional, indigenous and ancestral knowledge has been an integral resource for health in households and communities, and it continues to form a significant part of healthcare in many regions. One hundred seventy of WHO’s 194 Member States have reported on the use of herbal medicines, acupuncture, yoga, indigenous therapies and other forms of traditional medicines. Many countries recognize traditional medicine as a valuable source of healthcare and have taken steps to integrate practices, products and practitioners into their national systems. Today, traditional medicine has become a global phenomenon; the demand is growing, with patients seeking greater agency and ownership of their health and well-being and seeking more compassionate and personalized health care. For millions, especially those living in remote and rural areas, it continues to be the first choice for health and well-being, offering care that is culturally acceptable, available and affordable. WHO’s work on traditional medicine is a response to the requests from countries for evidence and data to inform policies and practice, global standards and regulations to ensure safety, quality and equitable access. The 2018 Declaration of Astana on primary health care acknowledges the need to include traditional medicine knowledge and technologies in the delivery of primary health care – a cornerstone of health systems – in pursuit of health for all. WHO recognizes the diversity of traditional, complementary and integrative medicine (T&CM) practices across countries of the world and its contribution to health, well-being, people-centred health care and universal health coverage. Appropriately integrated T&CM can improve health outcomes by increasing the availability of services, especially at the level of primary health care. Many countries have a long history of traditional medicine and practitioners that are important in providing care to populations, and WHO recognizes that traditional, complementary and alternative medicine has many benefits.
• What is the role of World Health Organization?
• How many countries are members of World Health Organization (WHO)?
• What is the mission and vision of the World Health Organization (WHO)?
• What are the three stages of health defined by World Health Organization (WHO)?
• What are the contributions of the World Health Organization (WHO)?
• What are the issues and challenges with the World Health Organization (WHO)?
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
THE EDITORIAL PAGE
Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Indian Polity and Governance-Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.
Mains Examination: General Studies II: Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary-Ministries and Departments of the Government; pressure groups and formal/informal associations and their role in the Polity.
Key Points to Ponder:
• What’s the ongoing story-Criminal law’s promise as an instrument of safety is matched only by its power to destroy. It is arguably the most direct expression of the relationship between a state and its citizens. In no other branch of law is more at stake not only for the individual but also the community. Only the coming decades can tell to what extent the three new Bills meet the stated objectives of improving law and order, simplifying the criminal justice process and achieving the laudable goal of “ease of life”. Ideally, making criminal law compatible with the constitutional vision should have been the foremost object of the new codes.
• What is Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023?
• What exactly Government has proposed in Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023?
• “Some of the concepts underlying the code were either problematic or had become obsolete and, therefore, there was a need for reforms”-How far you agree?
• For Your Information-In 1860, when the IPC was enforced, it was certainly ahead of its time. Macaulay had himself favoured regular revision of the IPC. It is widely appreciated as a state-of-the-art code and was, indeed, the first codification of criminal law in the entire British Empire. Today it is the longest-serving penal code in the common law world. James Stephen, who drafted the Evidence Act, 1872, had remarked, “The Indian Penal Code is to the English criminal law what a manufactured article ready for use is to the materials out of which it is made. It is to the French Penal Code and, I may add, to the North German Code of 1871, what a finished picture is to a sketch. It is far simpler, and much better expressed than Livingston’s Code for Louisiana; and its practical success has been complete.”
• “Unfortunately, for most crimes, the new code has not been able to improve the definition clauses and has merely
clubbed penal sections with the definition sections”-What kind of crimes?
• What do you understand by “culpable homicide” and “murder”?
• Why James Stephen, who drafted the Evidence Act, 1872 criticised the distinction between “culpable homicide” and “murder” in the IPC?
• Do You Know-The distinction between “culpable homicide” and “murder” in the IPC was criticised even by Stephen as the “weakest part of the code” as their definitions were obscure. “Culpable homicide” was first defined, but “homicide” was not defined at all. Indeed, “culpable homicide”, the genus, and “murder”, the species, were defined in terms so closely resembling each other that it was difficult to distinguish them. The new Code does not improve these definitions except for punishing killings in mob lynching by five or more persons without using the term “mob lynching”. The retention of the death penalty too shows that the government continues to believe in the dated ideas of retribution and deterrence. The death penalty has been provided for the rape of a minor. The much-abused crime of cruelty has not been made gender-neutral, despite this being one of the rationales for the new code. The insanity provision has replaced the wider idea of “unsoundness of mind” with just “mental illness”. Section 143, which punishes the habitual export, import and selling of slaves, is a surprise inclusion as slavery has already been abolished. It is disheartening to see that the new code has neither made marital rape an offence nor made any improvements on the inadequate hate speech provisions of Sections 153A and 153B. The offence of adultery reappears in a new avatar as the offence of having sex on the false promise of marriage or promotion etc. Criminal conspiracy was made a substantive offence only in 1913. There are doubts about the need to continue in the new code the type of conspiracy which is punishable even when two people merely agree to commit an offence without any overt act following the agreement. The offence is objectionable because it was added to the code by the colonial masters to deal with political conspiracies and a code committed to the constitutional ideals of the rule of law and democracy should not retain it. Justice T R Fitzgerald had observed: “The law of conspiracy is a branch of our jurisprudence to be narrowly watched, to be zealously regarded and never to be pressed beyond its true limits.”
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
📍THE BHARATIYA NYAYA SANHITA, 2023
EXPLAINED
Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance.
Mains Examination: General Studies II: India and its neighbourhood- relations
Key Points to Ponder:
• What’s the ongoing story- Taliban took control of Afghanistan two years ago on August 15, 2021, as US and NATO forces made a hurried and chaotic exit after almost two decades of war. This week, they marked their second anniversary as Afghanistan’s new rulers. In a country of about 40 million people, international aid agencies estimate that about 15 million people will face “crisis” levels of food insecurity this year, with 2.8 million in the “emergency” category, the fourth highest in the world.
• Afghanistan’s location in South Asia is particularly relevant to India as a geographical neighbor, Why?
• Map Work-Afghanistan
• What is the Current Situation in Afghanistan?
• Who are the Taliban?
• In what context have you heard or know about “Good Taliban, Bad Taliban”?
• The Doha Agreement, signed by the United States and the Taliban on 29 February 2020, was one of the critical events that caused the Fall of Kabul-How far you agree?
• What was there in Doha Agreement?
• India’s bilateral relations with Afghanistan before and after august 2021-Compare and Contrast
• In Geneva, why does the World Health Organization expressed concern about Afghans?
• Buzkashi offered an apt metaphor for Afghan society-How?
• What is Buzakashi?
• Do You Know-In the book ‘Games without Rules: The Often-Interrupted History of Afghanistan’, author Tamim Ansary writes: “There is a game called Buzkashi that is played only in Afghanistan and the central Asian steppes. It involves men on horseback competing to snatch a goat carcass off the ground and carry it to each of two designated posts while the other players, riding alongside at full gallop, fight to wrest the goat carcass away. The men play as individuals, each for his own glory. There are no teams. There is no set number of players. The distance between the posts is arbitrary. The field of play has no boundaries or chalk marks. No referee rides alongside to whistle plays dead and none is needed, for there are no fouls. The game is governed and regulated by its own traditions, by the social context and its customs, and by the implicit understandings among the players. If you need the protection of an official rule book, you shouldn’t be playing.” He adds that 200 years ago, Buzkashi offered an apt metaphor for Afghan society. The major theme of the country’s history since then has been a contention about whether and how to impose rules on the Buzkashi of Afghan society.
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
📍Explained: Engaging with the Taliban
For 15-34-yr-olds, top concern is jobs, economic struggles: survey
Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Economic and Social Development
Main Examination:
• General Studies‐ III: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment
• General Studies III: Inclusive growth and issues arising from it
Key Points to Ponder:
• What’s the ongoing story- More than one in three (36%) Indians between the ages of 15 and 34 believe unemployment is the biggest problem before the country. About one in six (16%) think it is poverty, and 13% think it is inflation. These findings, which are part of a report released by Lokniti-CSDS earlier this month, suggest that the youth identify challenges relating to the economy as the most significant facing the nation. The report offers insights into career aspirations, job preferences, and expectations of younger Indians. About 6% of respondents identified corruption as the most significant challenge; 4% each identified problems in education and high population.
• A report released by Lokniti-CSDS is all about what?
• Do You Know- According to Lokniti-CSDS, the proportion of youth identifying unemployment as the biggest problem has increased by 18 percentage points from the results of a similar survey in 2016. The share of those identifying price rise as the primary concern has increased by 7 percentage points. While the data from the 2023 survey — conducted in 18 states with a sample of 9,316 respondents — show unemployment as a significant concern across all economic classes, it is particularly pronounced among middle-class youth. Also, as many as 40% of highly educated respondents (graduate and above) identified unemployment as the most pressing concern. In contrast, only 27% of non-literate individuals cited unemployment as their primary concern, likely due to their greater willingness to take on a range of jobs. Forty-two per cent of men said unemployment was the most significant problem; among young women, this number was 31%. Poverty and price rise emerged as a more prominent problem for youth from lower economic backgrounds. A larger proportion of women (across economic classes) expressed concerns about price rise and poverty
• Unemployment in India-Types (Open Unemployment, Disguised Unemployment, Seasonal Unemployment, Cyclical Unemployment etc.)
• Know the Basics-Demography, Demographic characteristics, Demographic potential, Demographic Transition, Demographic Dividend and India’s Demographic Dividend
• India’s unemployment rate in Urban and Rural Areas-Present Status
• Why unemployment is more in the urban areas as compared to the rural areas?
• What do you understand by Labour Force and Labour Force participation rate (LFPR)?
• Female Labour Force Participation Rate-Know about this in detail
• Employment Rate (ER) and Unemployment Rate (UER)-Know in Detail
• What do you understand by “Informal economy” and “Unorganised Sector”?
• What Is the Unemployment Rate? How it is Calculated by CMIE?
• Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE)-Role and Under which Ministry/Organisation?
• Reasons for rise in Unemployment Rate
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
THE WORLD
Iran sends its Foreign Minister to Riyadh in first sign of thaw
Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Current events of national and international importance
Mains Examination: General Studies II: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.
Key Points to Ponder:
• What’s the ongoing story- Iran’s foreign minister travelled to Saudi Arabia on Thursday, marking the first trip to the kingdom by Tehran’s top diplomat in years after the two nations reached a détente with Chinese mediation. The visit by Hossein Amirabdollahian comes as both Saudi Arabia and Iran try to ease tensions between their nations, which long have viewed each other as archrivals for influence across the wider Middle East. Challenges remain, however, particularly over Iran’s advancing nuclear program, the Saudi-led war in Yemen and security across region’s waterways.
• Saudi Arabia and Iran bilateral relations-know in detail
• Map Work-Saudi Arabia and Iran
• Saudi Arabia and Iran have agreed to revive two key agreements they concluded during an earlier phase of positive bilateral relations-What are those two agreements?
• Why relation between these two countries were severed?
• For Your Information-The rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran is rooted in Islamic sectarianism. While Iran is the foremost Shia state in the world, Saudi Arabia is considered to be the religious home of Sunni Islam. In modern times, this sectarian rivalry has translated into a tussle for regional hegemony. This has played a role in both sides being involved in multiple proxy conflicts against each other in Iraq, Lebanon, Syria and most devastatingly, Yemen.
• Given the plethora of issues that divide Iran and Saudi Arabia, it is pertinent to ask why a deal has suddenly been struck now. What changed?
• China’s desire to be a global diplomatic power-Know China’s role in this particular situation
• The deal between Saudi Arabia and Iran and China brokering it-How it will impacted USA and Israel?
• India has so far avoided commenting on the Iran-Saudi détente-Examine India’s role
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
📍Saudi Arabia, Iran to renew ties: What it means for the world
ECONOMY
Bond, T-Bill yields see sharp rise as inflation spikes, liquidity tightens
Syllabus:
Preliminary Examination: Economic and Social Development-Sustainable Development, Poverty, Inclusion, Demographics, Social Sector Initiatives, etc.
Mains Examination: General Studies III: Indian Economy and issues relating to planning, mobilization, of resources, growth, development and employment.
Key Points to Ponder:
• What’s the ongoing story- A week after the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) opted for status quo in its monetary policy, yields on 10-year benchmark bonds and Treasury Bills rose sharply Thursday as retail inflation spiked to 7.44 per cent in July, liquidity in the system tightened and pressure mounted on short-term interest rates. India’s benchmark 10-year bonds rose to 7.25 per cent from the previous level of 7.20 per cent on August 14 and T-Bill yields rose by up to 13 basis points Thursday. Ten-year bond yields have gone up by 17 basis points in the last one month.
• What is the benchmark for government bonds in India?
• What is the yield of 10 year benchmark bond?
• What do you understand by Government Securities (G-Secs)?
• Which securities are also known as G SEC?
• What are the types of Government Securities (G-Secs)?
• What are Treasury Bills (T-bills), Cash Management Bills (CMBs), Dated G-Secs, and State Development Loans (SDLs)?
• How Treasury Bills (T-bills), Cash Management Bills (CMBs), Dated G-Secs, and State Development Loans (SDLs) are different from each other?
• How are they issued?
• What Are Open Market Operations (OMOs)?
Other Important Articles Covering the same topic:
📍What Is a Government Security? T-Bills, T-Bonds, and More
Previous Year UPSC Prelims questions covering same theme:
Most Read
📍In the context of the Indian economy, non-financial debt includes which of the following? (Please refer UPSC Prelims GS1 2020 for complete question)
1. Housing loans owed by households
2. Amounts outstanding on credit cards
3. Treasury bills
📍Consider the following statements: (Please refer UPSC Prelims GS1 2018 for complete question)
1. The Reserve Bank of India manages and services Government of India Securities but not any State Government Securities.
2. Treasury bills are issued by the Government of India and there are no treasury bills issued by the State Governments.
3. Treasury bills offer are issued at a discount from the par value.
📍In the context of Indian economy, ‘Open Market Operations’ refers to (UPSC Prelims GS1, 2013)
(a) borrowing by scheduled banks from the RBI
(b) lending by commercial banks to industry and trade
(c) purchase and sale of government securities by the RBI
(d) None of the above
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