New Shepard: The 11 minute space journey Essence A Current Affairs Monthly Publication July 2021 Human-Wildlife Conflict Amnesty scheme for violators of environment norms: New missiles test-fired by DRDO
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New Shepard: The 11 minute space journey
Essence A Current Affairs Monthly Publication
July 2021
Human-Wildlife Conflict Amnesty scheme for violators of environment norms:
New missiles test-fired by DRDO
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TARGET UPSC 2020-21
1. The fresh consensus for a ‘Naya’ Jammu and Kashmir ................................................... 1Governance, International Relations
2. IAC will be commissioned next year: Rajnath .................................................................... 4Security / Defence
3. Relevant advice for health care-givers, mothers-to-be ...................................................7Threat to Pregnant Woman and Neonatal | Benefits of Vaccination
4. Pakistan to remain on FATF ‘Greylist’ ................................................................................... 12International Relations
5. Balancing speed and safety .................................................................................................... 15Road safety
6. ASEAN states warn of U.S. China Sea tensions .................................................................18International Relations
7. Why bacteria develop Multidrug resistance .................................................................... 22Multi-Drug resistance | Health
8. A fabled wonder in danger ...................................................................................................... 26Coral reefs
9. Govt. unveils ₹6.28 lakh crore stimulus post 2nd COVID wave ................................... 31Relief Measures
10. Nuclear-capable Agni-P missile test-fired ......................................................................... 39Science and Technology
11. Entering the CAPF’s turf ..........................................................................................................43Security | Border issues
12. Suspected drone attack on IAF Jammu station leaves 2 injured ..............................48Defence | Polity
13. OPEC risks forcing India ........................................................................................................... 53Energy Security | International Relations
14. Ensure that no migrant worker goes hungry ................................................................... 56Welfare Schemes for Vulnerable Sections (GS paper-II)
15. Government gives nod for Cipla to import Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine .............. 59Health
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TARGET UPSC 2020-21
16. K K Venugopal reappointed as attorney general for a year ......................................... 62Indian Constitution | Polity
17. India’s 1991 liberalisation leap and lessons for today .....................................................641991 LPG reforms- Rationale and its impact
18. Centre’s digital agri proposals raise concern’ ................................................................... 72India Digital Ecosystem of Agriculture (IDEA) (GS paper-III)
19. Global Cybersecurity Index: ITU ............................................................................................. 76Cybersecurity related issues (GS III)
20. BharatNet Project ....................................................................................................................... 79Government Policies & Interventions | Growth & Development |Infrastructure
21. What lies ahead for IBC and stressed assets resolution? ........................................ 82ECONOMY | IBC
22. Financial Stability Report: RBI ................................................................................................87Banking Sector & NBFCs |GS Paper - 3
23. G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting ...............................................................................................91International Relations (GS II )
24. Telugu States spar over water sharing ................................................................................94Water crisis | Environment and ecology, Water resources| GS II & III
25. Solar power and rural India ....................................................................................................98Solar power | Indian economy | GS Paper III
26. Digital divide in schools ..........................................................................................................102Indian education system and digital India (GS paper-II and GSIII)
27. Heat Dome ....................................................................................................................................105Geography | Important Geophysical PhenomenaGS Paper - 3
28. Literacy, numeracy mission deadline pushed to 2027 ............................................. 108GS Paper II- Issues related to Health and education
29. Appointment and removal of Chief Minister: ................................................................... 111Parliamentary government | Polity
30. Around 50% of the municipal schools not following the RTE Act mandate ..........113GS Paper III- Issues related to Education
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31. Crafting a unique partnership with Africa .......................................................................117GS Paper II: International Relations
32. Will a national judiciary work? ............................................................................................122Judiciary (GS paper-II)
33. Fly Ash ............................................................................................................................................126Prelims and GS-II – Policies and interventions and GS III – Conservation
34. Fresh stirrings on federalism as a new politics ..............................................................129GS Paper II: Federalism
35. Bengal passes resolution to set up Council .................................................................... 134POLITY AND GOVERNANCE
36. Matsya Setu ..................................................................................................................................137GS -II – Policies and interventions and GS-III – Fisheries sector
37. Delhi gets own Genome sequencing ................................................................................ 140Science and technology | Genome sequencing
38. MUDRA loan scheme ............................................................................................................. 145GS Paper III: Inclusive growth and financial Inclusion
39. Challenging negative social norms ................................................................................... 148GS Paper II: Issues related Women rights
40. New Phase- 2nd ARC Report on Structure of Government .........................................151GS Paper II: Polity & Governance|Creation of Ministries and Departments
41. Human-Wildlife Conflict .........................................................................................................155GS Paper III: Biodiversity & Environment
42. Tracking Fugitives .....................................................................................................................158GS Paper III : Internal Security
43. Terrain, facilities will affect delimitation in J&K, says ECI ........................................... 161GS Paper II: Polity & Governance |Delimitation
44. A perception shift in relations between Sri Lanka and China? ............................... 164GS Paper II : International Relation|Indo-Sri Lanka relation
45. India Rejects OIC’s Proposal ................................................................................................. 168GS Prelims and GS – II -International relations
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TARGET UPSC 2020-21
46. Shaping a trilateral as Rome looks to the Indo-Pacific ................................................ 171Prelims GS paper II: International Relations| Indo-Pacific | Indo-Iran relations
47. New Population Policy keeps all sections in mind .......................................................175GS Paper I: Population and associated issues
48. Jal Jeevan Mission ....................................................................................................................179GS Prelims and GS-II -Policies and Interventions
49. Inflation remains above 6% in June .....................................................................................182GS Paper III: Economy | Inflation
50. Regional powers and the Afghanistan question ........................................................... 187GS Paper II: India’s neighbour | International relations
51. Naga Peace Talks ....................................................................................................................... 191GS Prelims and GS -II – North East insurgency; Centre state relations
52. Disable unconstitutional sections ......................................................................................195Prelims| GSII Polity & Governance
53. India’s first Green Hydrogen Mobility Project .................................................................199GS Prelims and GS -III – Environment; Conservation; Infrastructure
54. Amnesty scheme for violators of environment norms: ...............................................203GS Prelims and GS -III – Conservation related issues
55. New European climate law: ...................................................................................................207Prelims| GSIII Conservation related issues
56. Five years later, Brexit continues to divide ........................................................................211GS Prelims and GS -III – International relations and organization
57. Cooperative Banking ................................................................................................................216GS Prelims and GS -III – Economy and Banking
58. India’s Afghan investment: .....................................................................................................219Prelims| GSII |International Relations | India & Its Neighborhood - Relations
59. Simpler drone rules to be offered ...................................................................................... 223GS Prelims and GS II, III- National security and technology
60. Notice issued to 3 MPs under anti-defection law..........................................................226GS Prelims and GS -II |Indian Constitution
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61. India needs a renewed health-care system ....................................................................230Prelims| GSIII Conservation related issues.
62. Bail orders will be sent instantly to jail authorities: SC ...............................................234GS Paper II: Polity & Governance
63. Jurisdiction of Krishna & Godavari River Management Boards ...............................238GS Prelims and GS -II |Indian Constitution
64. G7’s Build Back Better World Initiative ..............................................................................241GS Prelims and GS -II – International Relations
65. Midday meals leave a long-lasting impact: study .........................................................245GS Prelims and GS II, III- National security and technology
66. COMMON SERVICE CENTRES ...............................................................................................249GS Prelims GS Paper II, III: Governance, Government measures.
67. Ethics issues with the use of AI ........................................................................................... 253Science & Technology
68. Pegasus ........................................................................................................................................256Science & Technology
69. Right to life vs right to faith ..................................................................................................259Polity
70. Monkey B Virus ...........................................................................................................................261Science & Technology
71. NEA Scout ....................................................................................................................................263Science and Technology
72. 97th Amendment Act of the Constitution .......................................................................265GS-II: Indian Polity
73. Vacancy in Lokpal: Director of Enquiry .............................................................................267GS Prelims and GS II, Indian Polity
74. Surveillance laws in India .......................................................................................................270Governance
75. New Shepard: The 11 minute space journey .................................................................... 273GS-III Science & Technology
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TARGET UPSC 2020-21
76. Vintage Vehicle Policy ............................................................................................................. 275Government schemes and policies
77. New missiles test fired by DRDO ........................................................................................277Science & Technology
78. Drug Menace in India ..............................................................................................................279Government policies and interventions
79. Adarsh Smarak Scheme .........................................................................................................282Art & Culture, Government Schemes
80. National Curriculum Framework ........................................................................................ 284Government schemes and policies
81. New regulation for e-commerce .........................................................................................286Government schemes and policies
82. Essential Defence Services Bill, 2021 ..................................................................................288Government policies and interventions
83. Nord Stream 2 Pipeline ...........................................................................................................290International Relations
84. The Right to be Forgotten ....................................................................................................292Indian Polity
85. Microplastics Pollution ............................................................................................................294Environment
86. A push to the steel industry ..................................................................................................296Economics, Government policies
87. National Security Council .......................................................................................................298Internal Security
88. Alexander Dalrymple Award ................................................................................................ 300Current events of national & international importance
89. G20 Energy and Climate Meet ..............................................................................................302Environment, International Relations
90. Elections in PoK ........................................................................................................................ 304International Relations, Internal Security
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TARGET UPSC 2020-21
91. Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) ..............................................................................306Economics
92. Moon like object around an exoplanet..............................................................................308Science & Technology
93. Armex 21: Indian Army’s Skiing Expedition ......................................................................310Internal Security
94. Naga Peace Talks ........................................................................................................................311Government policies
95. Renegotiating Brexit ............................................................................................................... 314International relations
96. Strategic Petroleum Reserves ...............................................................................................317Economy
97. Monkeypox ...................................................................................................................................319 Science & Technology, Health
98. Cutlass Express Exercise .........................................................................................................321Defence
99. Assam Mizoram Border Dispute .......................................................................................... 323Internal Security
100. India’s new World Heritage SIte ......................................................................................... 325Art & Culture, Ancient History
101. INDRA-21 ..................................................................................................................................... 327Defence
102. James Webb Space Telescope ...........................................................................................329Science & Technology
103. The Nauka module to ISS.......................................................................................................331Science & Technology
104. US Secretary of State visits India ....................................................................................... 333International Relations
105. SCO Defence Minister’s Meet 2021 .................................................................................... 335International relations
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TARGET UPSC 2020-21
106. Earth Overshoot Day .............................................................................................................. 337Environment
107. Raja Mircha ................................................................................................................................339Current events of national importance
108. Cloudbursts ................................................................................................................................341Indian Geography
109. Inland Vessel Bill 2021 ............................................................................................................343Governance
110. International Tiger Day ..........................................................................................................345Environment and Ecology
111. Shear Layer of Sun ....................................................................................................................347Science & Technology
112. Manual Scavenging ................................................................................................................349Social Justice
113. Malnutrition in India ............................................................................................................... 353Social Justice
114. Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Amendment Bill 2021 .........356Government policies
115. Defining Creamy Layer ..........................................................................................................359Indian Polity
116. Reforms Based and Results in Linked Scheme .............................................................361Economy
117. Prelims Questions .....................................................................................................................363
118. Answer Key ............................................................................................................................... 407
119. Mains Practice Questions .................................................................................................... 408
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The fresh consensus for a ‘Naya’ Jammu and KashmirTHEME:Governance, International Relations
CONTEXT: The article counters the assertion that the change in the Government’s Kashmir policy
is influenced by regional geo-politics which is changing because of the withdrawal of
the US from Afghanistan. And the present government is doing outreach to the political
leaders of Kashmir from a position of strength.The mainstream political leaders of
Jammu and Kashmir met the Prime Minister at a meeting organised to reduce the trust
deficit between the union government and the leaders of Jammu and Kashmir.
PRELIMS ANALYSIS:Jammu and Kashmir and The naya Kashmir Background
• This move has come after the Centre scrapped provisions of the Article 370 that had
given Jammu and Kashmir special status and split it into two Union territories (UTs)
under the J&K Reorganisation Act of 2019.
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• This is the first time that a state has been divided into UTs.
• Kargil and Leh districts form Ladakh, while the rest of the region constitutes the
Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
• Now, India has 9 UTs and 28 states.
Administration of UTs
• Articles 239 to 241 in Part VIII of the Constitution deal with the union territories.
• Every union territory is administered by the President acting through an
administrator appointed by him.
• The President can specify the designation of an administrator; it may be
Lieutenant Governor or Chief Commissioner or Administrator.
• The Parliament can make laws on any subject of the three lists (i.e. Union, State and
Concurrent) for the union territories.
MAINS ANALYSIS:Details:
• The meeting has been described as an important step in the ongoing efforts towards
a developed and progressive J&K.
• While committing to strengthen grassroots democracy, the PM called for quick
delimitation of constituencies, after which legislative polls could be held.
• The Home Minister insisted that the restoration of statehood will follow delimitation
and elections.
• There are signals that this could lead to an early return of democratic governance
and full statehood.
• Argument: The change in the Government’s Kashmir policy (highlighted by the
central government’s outreach) is influenced by regional geo-politics which is
changing because of the withdrawal of the US from Afghanistan. Details of this
argument are covered in the following DNS.
• Counter argument: The government’s outreach to the political leaders of Kashmir is
from a position of strength and has not been influenced by the external calculations.
Let us understand the points raised by the author to support these arguments.
Centre’s Kashmir policy and the world:
• Government’s policy since the insurgency in J&K started has never been influenced
by the external calculations.
• At the start of 1990s when India was confronted with a full-blown insurgency in the
Kashmir Valley.
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• India’s staunchest ally, the Soviet Union had collapsed,
• The then United States Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia (and Central Asia),
Robin L. Raphel (with direct access to U.S. President Bill Clinton) questioned Jammu
and Kashmir’s accession to India.
• Even during this time Indian Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao’s refused to concede
ground in any substantial measure.
• So it is difficult to believe that the present government would do so under any
external pressure.
• Although the takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban presents a difficult situation in
the region, it does not necessarily mean that it will impact Kashmir in any major way.
• Also the change in Pakistan’s stance is being influenced by not just the Nudges by
the UAE led backchannel diplomatic efforts but its mainly because of the fault lines
that exist within the Pakistan military establishment and the civil-military tussle.
Way Forward:• It is early to conclude whether the all-party meeting will succeed in building the
foundations of a new Jammu and Kashmir.
• In deciding to engage with the political parties, the Centre has made a departure
from its earlier position.
• Decades of turmoil in J&K has created unique problems of governance and
mistrust. The focus must be on building the trust and cooperation of the people of
J&K.
• For most of the 20th century, New Delhi’s policies towards this border region have
moved between tight central control and a gentler federal grip that provided space
for autonomous self-governance (through Article 370).
• 21st-century governance and empowerment require a contemporary federal solution.
• The fresh consensus for a ‘Naya’ Jammu and Kashmir must capture the best
practices of democratic governance globally.
• The first consequence of the completion of the delimitation exercise would be the
restoration of the political process and eventually holding assembly polls in the UT.
• Jammu and Kashmir’s leaders must arrive at a compelling blueprint for good
governance within a framework of healthy federal relations that will be rooted in a
vision for peace, prosperity and real empowerment.
• The bedrock of such a vision must be the extraordinarily talented and gifted young
people of the State.
• Centre and J&K leaders must ensure that the meeting leads to structured
engagement.
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IAC will be commissioned next year: Rajnath
CONTEXT: The first indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC), INS Vikrant, being built at the Cochin Shipyard
will join the naval fleet next year, coinciding with the 75th year of India’s Independence.
PRELIMS ANALYSIS:Indigenous Aircraft carrier (INS Vikrant) • It is an aircraft carrier constructed by Cochin Shipyard in Kochi, Kerala for the Indian
Navy.
• It is 262 metres long and 62 metres wide and will be able to launch 30 aircraft,
including 20 fighter jets and 10 helicopters
• It will have two runways and a landing strip with STOBAR (short take off but arrested
delivery) equipment
• It is the first aircraft carrier to be built in India and also the largest vessel made in
India.
• It will have an air component of 30 aircraft, comprising MiG-29K fighter jets,
THEME:Security / Defence
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Kamov-31 airborne early warning helicopters and the soon-to-be-inducted MH-60R
multi-role helicopter, besides the indigenous Advanced Light Helicopters.
• The shipborne weapons include Barak LR SAM and AK-630, while it has MFSTAR and
RAN-40L 3D radars as sensors. The vessel has a Shakti EW Suite.
• It is propelled by four gas turbines.
AIRCRAFT CARRIERS OF INDIAN NAVY 1. INS VIKRANT
• 1st aircraft carrier of India
• It was decommissioned in 1997 after serving for 37 years.
2. INS VIRAAT
• 2nd and the longest serving aircraft carrier of India.
• It was recently decommissioned in 2017 after serving for 56 years. (26 years as HMS
Hermes and 30 as INS Vikrant)
3. INS VIKRAMADITYA
• India and Russia signed $1.5 billion for the acquisition of the warship INS
Vikramaditya inducted to the Indian Navy in 2013.
• INS Vikramaditya is the only aircraft carrier of Indian Navy in operation.
4. INS VIKRANT (IAC-1)
• India’s 1st Indigenous Aircraft Carrier is set to be inducted to Indian Navy by next year.
5. INS VISHAL
• The 65000 tonne Naval supercarrier, INS Vishal on the lines of HMS Elizabeth will be
built by India
MAINS ANALYSIS:Why does India need a new aircraft carrier?• While INS Viraat was decommissioned in 2017, INS Vikramaditya remains the only
aircraft carrier in the navy’s fleet
• But India needs at least 2 aircraft carriers to be deployed on the western and eastern
seaboards.India can tackle both Pakistan and China on west and eastern fronts
simultaneously. India is also planning to develop the third aircraft carrier - INS Vishaal
by 2030
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• Due to its Geographical proximity, Indian carriers will have better access to bases
and support facilities in the Indian Ocean than China or US, and the presence of the
carriers facilitates the projection of Indian power in the Indian Ocean ·
• These Carriers will help in achieving India’s goal of becoming a Net Security provider
in the Indian Ocean.
• The Navy is expected to get Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL)-built twin-engine
carrier aircraft by 2032. It will replace the MiG-29Ks in service which are scheduled to
start going out by 2034.
• The Navy currently has 45 Russian MiG-29K aircraft and its officials had stated that
there will not be enough aircraft to operate from both carriers.With a second carrier
to come in, the Navy is already evaluating a global tender for 57 carrier-based twin-
engine fighter aircraft.
• China currently has two aircraft carriers, with a third in early construction, and a
fourth planned for some time in the mid 2020 or 2030s.
India’s efforts in harnessing indigenous industry and know-how:• 42 of the 44 warships on order are being built at Indian shipyards.
• The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) recently approved requests for proposals
(RFP) of Project 75-I [for the construction of another line of diesel-electric
submarines] under the strategic partnership model.
• This would give a fillip to the indigenous development of niche manufacturing
technologies.