UPSC 2017: Comprehensive News Analysis - May 29

A. GS1 Related:
B. GS2 Related:

POLITY

1. No report yet on Kanpur derailment Six months after accident that killed over 150, agencies yet to ascertain the cause

2. Cattle trade rules go against 1960 law Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act does not impose curbs on sale of cattle for slaughter or sacrifices

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

1. Modi in Berlin today, says ‘new chapter’ in ties PM’s six-day tour to Germany, Spain, Russia and France assumes added significance as all are members of the Nuclear Suppliers Group

C. GS3 Related:

INDIAN ECONOMY

1. Centre’s spending improves after budget date advanced Disbursal of funds may have increased by 10-15% in April and May 

2. Strategic ties with foreign OEMs Indian firms will be partners in new model for defence manufacturing 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. ISRO set to launch heaviest rocket GSLV Mk- III can carry up to 8 tonne 

INTERNAL SECURITY

1. Need innovations to fight dirty war: Rawat Army chief defends use of a human shield in Kashmir 

D. GS4 Related:
E. Concepts-in-News: Related Concepts to Revise/Learn
F. Bills/Acts/Schemes/Orgs in News
G. Practice Questions for UPSC Prelims Exam

***********************************************************************************

Need Expert Guidance on how to prepare for Current Affairs

.

***********************************************************************************

Useful News Articles for UPSC Current Affairs

A. GS1 Related

Nothing here for today!!

 

B. GS2 Related

Category: POLITY

1. No report yet on Kanpur derailment Six months after accident that killed over 150, agencies yet to ascertain the cause

Context

  • Six months after the wrecking of the Indore-Rajendranagar Express close Kanpur asserted more than 150 lives, exploring offices are yet to discover the reason for the mischance. The Commission of Railway Safety (CRS) hasn’t presented its preparatory report.
  • On November 20 a year ago, 14 mentors of the Patna-bound prepare crashed amongst Pokhrayan and Malasa stations in Uttar Pradesh, killing no less than 152 travelers and harming 183.

What the rules say?

  • As indicated by the guidelines, the CRS needs to present its preparatory answer to the Chief Commissioner of Railway Safety and the Indian Railway Board Secretary inside one month of the request, and it needs to make the report open too. The CRS, under the Civil Aviation Ministry, then presents a nitty gritty report inside six months of the request to the Chief Commissioner.

2. Cattle trade rules go against 1960 law Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act does not impose curbs on sale of cattle for slaughter or sacrifices

Key Points

  • Confinements put by the new guidelines of the Environment Ministry on the offer of steers in a domesticated animals showcase for reasons for butcher and religious animal sacrifices negate the very law — Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act of 1960 — under which it has been told.
  • The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Regulation of Livestock Markets) Rules of 2017 allow the offer of cows in business sectors just to checked “agriculturists”, who need to give an endeavor to experts that dairy cattle won’t be sold or butchered for meat. Nor might the creature be utilized for penances. The creature will be utilized just to farm.
  • The tenets take away the privileges of the proprietor to try and offer the body of a creature biting the dust of “common causes” in the market. The standards endorse that the cadaver will be burned and not be sold or excoriated for calfskin.

Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

1. Modi in Berlin today, says ‘new chapter’ in ties PM’s six-day tour to Germany, Spain, Russia and France assumes added significance as all are members of the Nuclear Suppliers Group

Context

  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi will arrive in Berlin on Monday beginning a six-day, four-nation tour of Europe.

Key Points

  • Modi will meet German Chancellor Angela Merkel for talks to tackle issues such as the impasse in the India-EU free trade agreement, as well as developing a common strategy to counter China’s moves on connectivity and preserving the international “rules-based” system.
  • From Germany, the Prime Minister will travel to Spain (May 29-30), Russia (May 31-June 1) and France (June 2-3). His meetings at each of these countries will also be significant given that all four are members of the Nuclear Suppliers Group that will meet in June to once again consider India’s membership application.
  • Modi is to meet all the leaders once again in July at the G-20 summit in Hamburg (Spain is not a G-20 country, but is a permanent invitee).
  • Both India and Germany are expected to sign a number of MoUs on trade and investment, security and counter-terrorism, innovation and science & technology, skill development, urban infrastructure, railways, civil aviation, clean energy, development cooperation, health and alternative medicine.

 

C. GS3 Related

Category: ECONOMY

1. Centre’s spending improves after budget date advanced Disbursal of funds may have increased by 10-15% in April and May

Key Points

  • The advancement of the Budget date to February 1 had a positive effect on the pattern of government expenditure, which increased “substantially” in April and May compared to previous years, according to a Finance Ministry official.
  • The Budget for the financial year 2017-18 was presented on February 1 instead of at the end of the month in order to facilitate a timely disbursal of funds for various sectors.
  • The advancement of the Budget date to February 1 has already seen the disbursement of planned expenditure increasing in the months of April and May, instead of having to wait till the monsoon got over, as was happening earlier.

Category: MISCELLANEOUS

2. Strategic ties with foreign OEMs Indian firms will be partners in new model for defence manufacturing

OEMs Indian firms

Key Points

  • In a few weeks, the Union government will sound out five or six private sector majors to execute mega defence deals in four key areas — submarines, single-engine fighter aircraft, helicopters and armoured vehicles.
  • With the Union Cabinet taking note of the strategic partnership model last week, the Defence Ministry is awaiting its formal notification.

Category: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. ISRO set to launch heaviest rocket GSLV Mk- III can carry up to 8 tonne

Key Points

  • If all goes well with the maiden launch of the GSLV-Mk III (earlier named Launch Vehicle Mark-3) and subsequent flights, this rocket could be India’s vehicle of choice to launch “Indians into space, from Indian soil using Indian rockets” he said.
  • The heavy lift rocket is capable of placing up to 8 tonne in a low Earth orbit, enough to carry India’s crew module.
  • ISRO has already prepared plans of hoisting a two to three human crew into space as soon as the government gives it a sanction of about $4 billion.
  • If the human venture materialises, India would become only the fourth country after Russia, the U.S. and China to have a human space flight programme.
  • Earlier India used the French Ariane-5 rocket launched from Kourou in South America to place its heavy 4 ton class of communication satellites.

Category: INTERNAL SECURITY

2. Need innovations to fight dirty war: Rawat Army chief defends use of a human shield in Kashmir

Key Points

  • The Army is facing a “dirty war” in Jammu and Kashmir which has to be fought in “innovative” ways, Army chief General Bipin Rawat has said, defending the use of a Kashmiri as a ‘human shield’ by a young officer.
  • In an interaction with PTI, he said the aim of awarding Major Leetul Gogoi, when a Court of Inquiry was finalising its probe into the incident, was to boost the morale of young officers operating in a very difficult environment in the State.
  • The Army chief’s commendation medal awarded to Major Gogoi, who had tied a man to an Army vehicle and used him as a human shield from stone-throwers last month, was criticised by human rights activists, Kashmiri groups and a few retired Army Generals. A video of the incident triggered a row.

 

D. GS4 Related

Nothing here for Today!!!

 

E. Concepts-in-News: Related Concepts to Revise/Learn

 

F. Bills/Acts/Schemes/Orgs in News

Article in News

About the article

 

G. Practice Questions for UPSC Prelims Exam
Question 1: Animal Welfare Board of India is set up under which of the following act?
  1. Wildlife Protection of India, 1972
  2. Environment Protection Act, 1986
  3. Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960
  4. None
See
Answer


(c)

Type: Environment
Level: Medium

Explanation:

The Animal Welfare Board of India was established in 1962 under Section 4 of The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960. Well-known humanitarian Smt. Rukmini Devi Arundale was instrumental in setting up the board and was its first chair.

Question 2: The G20 summit will be held in 2017 in which of the following place?
  1. London
  2. New York
  3. Paris
  4. Hamburg
See
Answer


(d)

Type: International Relations
Level: Easy

Explanation:

Since 2011, when France chaired and hosted the G20, the summits have been held only once a year.The summit in 2016 was held in China,the one in 2017 will be held in Hamburg, Germany.”

Question 3: Which of the following is not a member of G20?
  1. India
  2. Spain
  3. China
  4. Saudi Arabia
See
Answer


(b)

Type: International Relations
Level: Easy

Explanation:

The G20 (or G-20 or Group of Twenty) is an international forum for the governments and central bank governors from 20 major economies. It was founded in 1999 with the aim of studying, reviewing, and promoting high-level discussion of policy issues pertaining to the promotion of international financial stability.

The members include 19 individual countries and along with the European Union (EU).

Spain is not a member, but a permanent invitee.

Question 4: Consider the statements about GSLV Mk III:
  1. If GSLV- Mk III launch succeds, this rocket could be India’s vehicle of choice to launch Indians into space, from Indian soil using Indian rockets.
  2. The heavy lift rocket is capable of placing up to 8 tonne in a low Earth orbit.

Which of the above statements is/are correct ?

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. None
See
Answer


(c)

Topic: S & T
Level: Medium

Explanation:

If all goes well with the maiden launch of the GSLV-Mk III (earlier named Launch Vehicle Mark-3) and subsequent flights, this rocket could be India’s vehicle of choice to launch “Indians into space, from Indian soil using Indian rockets”.

The heavy lift rocket is capable of placing up to 8 tonne in a low Earth orbit, enough to carry India’s crew module.

ISRO has already prepared plans of hoisting a two to three  human crew into space as soon as the government gives it a sanction of about $4 billion.

If the human venture materialises, India would become only the fourth country after Russia, the U.S. and China to have a human space flight programme.

Question 5: Which of the following subjects are discussed in G20 meetings?
  1. Global economic growth
  2. International trade and financial market regulation
  3. Ways to achieve strong, sustainable and balanced global economic growth and to boost employment

Select the correct code:

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 1 and 3 only
  4. All
See
Answer


(d)

Type: International Relations
Level: Medium

Explanation:

The G20 heads of state and government traditionally focus on issues concerning global economic growth, international trade and financial market regulation. They endeavour in particular to strengthen the global financial system and to improve the supervision and regulation of financial market participants, including what is known as the shadow banking system. The aim is to ensure that no financial market, financial market participant or financial product remains unsupervised. Taxpayers should not have to foot the bill again for bailing out financial market participants. Germany in particular has been pushing for measures to tackle harmful tax competition between countries and to combat the aggressive tax policies adopted by international firms, and not just since the publication of the Panama Papers. To this end, the G20 has adopted a package of measures, which is now being implemented.

Furthermore, the G20 constantly addresses ways to achieve strong, sustainable and balanced global economic growth and to boost employment.

Other issues of global significance are often closely linked to economic questions. Examples include climate change, development policy, labour market and employment policy, the spread of digital technology and, currently, refugee policy issues and counter-terrorism. That is why ministerial meetings are held in addition to the summit at the invitation of the respective host country.

 

“Proper Current Affairs preparation is the key to success in the UPSC- Civil Services Examination. We have now launched a comprehensive ‘Online Current Affairs Crash Course’. Limited seats available. Click here to Know More.”

 

Comments

Leave a Comment

Your Mobile number and Email id will not be published.

*

*