03 Apr 2022: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

CNA 03 Apr 2022:-Download PDF Here

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. GS 1 Related
B. GS 2 Related
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. India-Australia deal seeks to double bilateral trade in 5 years
C. GS 3 Related
ECONOMY
1. As war depletes wheat granaries across the world, India looks to fill the void
D. GS 4 Related
E. Editorials
POLITY AND GOVERNANCE
1. New criminal Bill
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. Roubles for fuel, defence deals with Russia
F. Prelims Facts
1. Prehistoric relics point to riverine settlement at Attappady
2. Transwoman in T.N. made member of NCF under Ministry of Culture
3. Army inducts Russian MANPADS
G. Tidbits
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
FIP Magazine

E. Editorials

Category: POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. New criminal Bill

Syllabus: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Prelims: The Criminal Procedure (Identification) Bill, 2022

Mains: The major changes introduced through the Criminal Procedure (Identification) Bill, 2022 and its critical analysis.

Context

The Criminal Procedure (Identification) Bill, 2022 has been introduced in Lok Sabha.

The Criminal Procedure (Identification) Bill, 2022

  • The Bill aims to replace the Identification of Prisoners Act, 1920.
  • The century-old Identification of Prisoners Act’s purview was limited to capturing fingerprint and foot-print impressions and photographs of prisoners.
  • The need for the new bill is that the latest measurement techniques used in developed countries are giving more reliable results and are being recognised globally.
    • Whereas, the 1920 Act does not provide for the adoption of such techniques.
  • The States have been authorised to formulate rules under the Act to specify the ways in which details could be recorded, preserved, and destroyed.

Previous efforts by the States to bring changes to the 1920 Act

  • The Tamil Nadu assembly passed and notified the Identification of Prisoners (Tamil Nadu Amendments) Act in 2010.
    • This Act has authorised the police to collect “blood samples” of suspects and convicts other than the mentioned measurements defined under the 1920 Act.
  • The Karnataka Government earlier passed the Identification of Prisoners (Karnataka Amendment) Bill in 2021, to change the applications of 1920 Act in the State.
    • The Bill extends the provisions to include the collection of blood samples, DNA, voice and iris scans “for effective surveillance and prevention of breach of peace and crime.”
    • It empowers the Superintendent of Police or Deputy Commissioner of Police to order collection in addition to a magistrate to avoid delays and reduce the workload on the judiciary.
    • The Bill has been reserved by the Governor for President’s consultation.

Major changes proposed by the Criminal Procedure (Identification) Bill, 2022

  • The Bill includes the collection of “signature, handwriting, iris and retina scan, physical, biological samples and their analysis under the definition of “measurements”.
  • The Bill authorises the National Crime Records Bureau of India (NCRB) to collect, store and preserve the records of samples for a minimum of 75 years.
    • The NCRB can also share the information with other agencies.
  • The Bill authorises a Magistrate to order any individual to give important details.
    • This provision was limited to convicts and those involved in heinous crimes.
  • The Bill authorises police or prison officers to take details of individuals who resist or refuse to allow the collection of such measurements.

Other changes

  • The major objective of the Bill is to provide a legal warrant for the collection of such details that help in making the investigation more efficient and expeditious, and in turn, increasing the conviction rate.
  • The Bill also applies to individuals who are detained under preventive detention law.
  • The Bill also allows for the collection of samples of “other persons” for identification and investigation in criminal matters.

To read more about the “Benefits and Issues associated” with the Bill refer-  Comprehensive News Analysis of 29th March 2022

Nut Graf
The proposed Bill to repeal the existing “Identification of Prisoners Act, 1920” is expected to make criminal investigations and other processes more efficient and reliable. However, the critics have raised serious concerns regarding the Bill which include the allegations of violation of fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution.

Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

1. Roubles for fuel, defence deals with Russia

Syllabus: Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests, Indian diaspora.

Mains: The measures undertaken by India and Russia to further the relations between them in the wake of the Ukraine crisis.

Context

This article discusses the ways Russia and India are looking to “bypass” the sanctions imposed by the Western Countries.

Background

  • Recently the Russian Foreign came to India making it the first high-level visit since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
  • The Ministry of External Affairs of India said that the two leaders discussed India’s concerns over the impact of the Ukraine crisis on its economy and said that it is critical to ensure that the economic and technological contacts remain “stable and predictable”.
  • India and Russia have been working on streamlining payments through the rupee-rouble mechanism bypassing the SWIFT system and the dollar route.
  • Meanwhile, the U.S. said that there will be “consequences” for any country, including India, that conduct local currency transactions with Russia’s central bank against its sanctions.

Developments in India-Russia Relations

  • Russia is intensifying the use of national currencies against the dollar payments with India and China.
  • India has imported about 13 million barrels of Russian oil since the start of the Ukraine war in February.
    • This is a significant move as India had imported only about 16 million barrels of Russian oil in all of 2021.
  • India and Russia are further looking at ways to bypass the sanctions imposed by the U.S. and other European Countries and the leaders of both countries feel the measures will also be extended to the area of military and technical cooperation.
  • Officials from Russia’s central bank met the officials of the Reserve Bank of India to identify and resolve issues in trade that have arised due to Western sanctions
  • The Indian government has set up a multi-ministerial group which is led by the Finance Ministry to formulate plans to tackle challenges in trade with Russia, including managing payments for exporters and importers.

Defence Deals

  • The Defence Ministry has assessed and monitored the impacts of the sanctions on the deliveries and supplies from Russia.
  • Experts opine that only some shipping delays were possible, there would not be any impact on the forces’ preparedness along the borders.
  • The forces have made crucial emergency procurements in the last two years since the standoff in eastern Ladakh and have stocked up defence equipment. So, there won’t be any shortages of equipment.
  • Even in the past, both the countries in the $5.43 billion deal for S-400 air defence systems had agreed for the payments through the rupee-rouble exchange, in the background of the U.S.’s CAATSA sanctions.
  • Also, many other deals are in the pipeline such as the procurement of 12 Su-30MKI aircraft and 21 MiG-29 fighter jets for the Indian Air Force.

Nut Graf
Amidst the disruptions in trade due to the crisis in Ukraine and the following sanctions on Russia, India and Russia are looking at ways to iron out the issues in bilateral trade. The move has been deeply criticised by the U.S. and has warned India of the consequences.

F. Prelims Facts

1. Prehistoric relics point to riverine settlement at Attappady

Syllabus: GS-1: Art and Culture: Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.

Prelims: riverine settlement at Attappady and discovery of prehistoric artifacts and archaeological remains

Context: The several prehistoric artifacts and archaeological remains have been found on the banks of three rivers flowing through the Attappady hills in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

About the Discovery:

  • Archaeological arefacts have recently been made along the Bhavani, Siruvani, and Kodumkara Pallam, or Anakatti rivers.
  • The presence of a mature settlement is indicated by the discovery of several prehistoric artefacts and archaeological remains.
  • Prehistoric humans discovered many stone tools, inhabited caves, menhirs, cisterns or burial chambers, stone circles, burial urns, black and red pottery, terracotta images, stone carvings, and granite inscriptions in the tribal area of Attappadi.
  • Surprisingly, one of Kottathara’s tribal settlements is known as Nattakkallu Ooru (meaning “menhir village”), despite the fact that all but one 11-foot menhir have been destroyed.
  • On both sides of the Kodumkara Pallam, which separates Kerala and Tamil Nadu, researchers discovered cist burial sites and shards of black and red pottery.
  • Recently, a private land near Anaikatti yielded black and red polished earthenware with various patterns.

2. Transwoman in T.N. made member of NCF under Ministry of Culture

Syllabus: GS-2: Polity and Governance: Important aspects of governance, transparency and accountability.

Prelims: National Culture Fund (NCF)

Context: A senior trans rights activist is appointed as a member of the Council and Executive Committee of the National Culture Fund (NCF) under the Ministry of Culture.

National Culture Fund (NCF):

  • The National Culture Fund (NCF) is a funding mechanism that is distinct from India’s existing sources and patterns of arts and culture funding.
  • The National Culture Fund (NCF) was established as a Trust by the Government of India through a Gazette Notification under the Charitable Endowment Act, 1890.
  • A Council and an Executive Committee oversee NCF’s operations. The Hon’ble Minister of Culture chairs the Council, which includes representatives from the private and public sectors, as well as private foundations and non-profit organisations.
  • The Secretary of the Ministry of Culture chairs the Executive Committee.
  • The NCF is run by a council that decides on policies and an Executive Committee that implements those policies.

3. Army inducts Russian MANPADS

Syllabus: GS-3: Security Challenges: Defense equipment

Prelims: Igla-S systems; What are MANPADS?

Context: The Army has inducted a small number of MANPADS, Igla-S systems recently procured from Russia under emergency procurement.

Igla-S systems

  • “Igla-S” is an air defense system that can be carried by a single person.
  • It is designed to defeat all types of visible fixed- and rotary-winged aircraft, as well as small aerial targets, on head-on and pursuit courses.
  • The Defense Ministry is reviewing a much larger contract for Igla-S systems as part of the very short-range air-defense system (VSHORAD) deal.

Know more than What are MANPADS?

Very short-range air-defense system (VSHORAD)

  • Very Short Range Air Defense Missiles are regarded as critical for the defence of any major city or strategically significant location.
  • The VSHORAD will replace the existing Igla in service, which is in desperate need of replacement, with a maximum range of 6 km, altitude of 3 km, and all-weather capability.
  • VSHORADS are the soldier’s last line of defense against enemy combat aircraft and helicopters in the multilayered air defense network.

G. Tidbits

Nothing here for today!!!

H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. With respect to Kangaroos, which of the following statements is/are correct?
  1. They are the world’s largest marsupials
  2. Kangaroos can not walk backward
  3. Kangaroos are indigenous to Australia and New Guinea

Options:

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 2 only
  3. 1 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: d

Explanation:

  • Kangaroos are the world’s largest marsupials. A Red Kangaroo can weigh 90kg and can grow two metres tall. Hence statement 1 is correct.
    • A marsupial is a mammal that belongs to the infraclass Metatheria, which is sometimes called Marsupialia.
  • Kangaroos are large, hopping animals with pouches where they carry their offspring. The hopping movement is referred to as saltation. But whether they hope or crawl, they cannot do it backward. Hence statement 2 is correct.
  • Kangaroos are indigenous to Australia and New Guinea. Hence statement 3 is correct.
Q2. Consider the following statements with respect to Sher Shah Suri:
  1. Sher Shah remained a pious Muslim and was generally tolerant towards otherreligions.
  2. The famous Hindi work Padmavat by Malik Muhammad Jayasi was written during his reign.
  3. In his administration Diwan-i-Ariz was in charge of Revenue and Finance

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 1 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: a

Explanation:

  • Sher Shah Sur’s conquests include Bundelkhand, Malwa, Multan, Punjab, and Sind.
  • His empire occupied the whole of North India except Assam, Gujarat, Kashmir, and Nepal. 
  • Sher Shah remained a pious Muslim and generally tolerant towards other religions. Hence statement 1 is correct.
  • The famous Hindi work Padmavat by Malik Muhammad Jayasi was written during his reign. Hence statement 2 is correct.
  • The king was aided by four important ministers.
    • Diwan –i- Wizarat or Wazir – in charge of Revenue and Finance
    • Diwan-i-Ariz – in charge of Army
    • Diwan-i-Rasalat – Foreign Minister
    • Diwan-i-Insha – Minister for Communications
  • Hence statement 3 is not correct.
Q3. Arrange the following in the Chronological Order:
  1. Satyagraha Ashram was founded
  2. Gandhiji led the Dandi march
  3. Gandhiji was arrested for the first time by the British Government for sedition
  4. Gandhiji became the president of Indian National Congress

Options:

  1. 1-2-3-4
  2. 2-4-1-3
  3. 1-3-4-2
  4. 3-1-2-4
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: c

Explanation:

  • 1915- Established ‘Satyagraha Ashram’, Kochrab.
  • 1922- Mahatma Gandhi was arrested at Sabarmati Ashram Ahmedabad for writing three articles in his newspaper Young India. This was the first time he was arrested by the British Government for sedition.
  • 1924- Mahatma Gandhi was elected as the President of the Indian National Congress (INC) in the Annual Session held at Belgaum. 
  • 1930- Dandi March commences from Satyagraha Ashram.
  • Hence option C is correct.
Q4. Which of the following statements with respect to Juvenile Justice Act (JJA) is/are 
correct?
  1. A child alleged to be in conflict with law can be placed in a police lockup or lodged in jail if he has committed a heinous offense.
  2. A child alleged to have committed a bailable or non-bailable offense, can be released on bail with or without surety or placed under the supervision of a probation officer or under the care of any fit person.

Options:

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both
  4. None
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: b

Explanation:

  • The Juvenile Justice Act gives definitions for petty, serious and heinous crimes by children.
    • A heinous offense is one that attracts a maximum punishment of 7 years’ imprisonment under any existing law.
  • If a child is found guilty of having committed the Heinous Offense, she will be sent to the Place of Safety until he/she becomes 21 years old, after which she can be sent to jail. Hence statement 1 is not correct.
  • Bail of Juvenile:
    • When a juvenile accused of a bailable or non-bailable offense, is arrested or detained or appears or is brought before a Board, such person shall be released on bail with or without surety or placed under the supervision of a Probation Officer or under the care of any fit institution of fit person.
    • Hence statement 2 is Correct.
Q5. Indian Government Bond Yields are influenced by which of the following?
  1. Actions of the United States Federal Reserve
  2. Actions of the Reserve Bank of India
  3. Inflation and short-term interest rates

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 2 only
  3. 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: d

Explanation:

  • Bond yield refers to the amount of money an investor will make if they invest in a bond. The yield on a bond is inversely proportional to the price of the bond. 
  • Bond yields fall as bond prices rise. 
  • The following factors influence the yields on Indian government bonds: 
    • The Reserve Bank of India’s monetary policy
    • The rise and fall of interest rates
    • The government’s financial situation and borrowing programme
    • Markets around the world
    • Inflation
    • The economy
  • Hence option D is correct.

I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions

  1. Critically examine the provisions of the India – Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA).[GS-3, Economy]
  2. Evaluate the challenges that have recently emerged in the global wheat markets. What Opportunities and challenges does it present for India? (250 words; 15 marks)[GS-2, International Relations]

Read the previous CNA here.

CNA 03 Apr 2022:-Download PDF Here

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