UPSC Exam: Comprehensive News Analysis - December 24

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. GS1 Related
B. GS2 Related
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS/BILATERAL RELATIONS
1. UN imposes new sanctions on N. Korea
HEALTH ISSUES
1. ‘Doctors have no business to be inhuman’: IMA
2. India recorded about 3.9 million cancer cases in 2016, data shows
C. GS3 Related
ECONOMY
1. India’s time to capitalize on oil and gas sector
D. GS4 Related
E. Prelims Fact
F. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
G. UPSC Mains Practice Questions 

 

A. GS1 Related

Nothing here for Today!!!

 

B. GS2 Related

Category:INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS/BILATERAL RELATIONS

1. UN imposes new sanctions on N. Korea

 In news:
 
  • The UN Security Council unanimously imposed new sanctions on North Korea for its recent intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) test.
  • The resolution seeks to limit its access to refined petroleum products and crude oil and its earnings from workers abroad.
  • The UN resolution seeks to ban nearly 90% of refined petroleum exports to North Korea by capping them at 500,000 barrels a year.

Background:

  • North Korea on November 29 said it successfully tested a new ICBM that put the U.S. mainland within range of its nuclear weapons.

 

Category:HEALTH ISSUES

1. ‘Doctors have no business to be inhuman’: IMA

 In news:
 
  • The Indian Medical Association has issued a “good behaviour advisory” for doctors.
  • This advisory comes at a time when physicians are under the scanner for inconsiderate behaviour and are often subjected to physical violence at the hands of patients.

IMA president Dr. K.K. Aggarwal opinion:

  • Doctors have no business to be inhuman. We not only need to be scientifically and legally correct but also morally and ethically correct. We are supposed to follow two bioethics principles: non-maleficence (first do not harm) and beneficence (welfare of all). Our main business is compassion. It should be demonstrated in practice as much as felt. A compassionate attitude in practice is more important than the science. Poor, inconsiderate and uncompassionate communication is why most patients sue.

Report:

  • Nearly one in every two doctors suffer violence at public hospitals.
  • Verbal abuse (75%) was the most common form of violence, followed by threats (51%) and physical assault (12%).
  • The survey report, published in the National Medical Journal of India, added that doctors who faced the abuse felt angry, frustrated and fearful.

 

2. India recorded about 3.9 million cancer cases in 2016, data shows

 In news:
 
  • According to the National Cancer Registry Programme, India recorded an estimated 3.9 million cancer cases in 2016
  • It is a programme under the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)

State-wise data

  • The worst affected states were Uttar Pradesh with 674,386 cases, followed by Maharashtra with 364,997 and Bihar with 359,228
  • In South India Tamil Nadu recorded 222,748 cases, Karnataka 202,156, Andhra Pradesh 159,696, Telangana 115,333 and Kerala 115,511 cases of cancer

Programme under the National Health Mission, for Non-communicable diseases

  • An initiative of prevention, control and screening for common non-communicable diseases (NCDs) (diabetes, hypertension and oral, breast and cervical cancer) has been rolled out in more than 100 districts in 2017-18 under the NHM

National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS)

  • The central government is implementing a “Strengthening of Tertiary Care Cancer facilities” Scheme under NPCDCS to assist states in establishing State Cancer Institutes (SCI)
  • And Tertiary Care Cancer Centres (TCCC) in different parts of the country
  • NPCDCS is being implemented under NHM for interventions up to district level
  • The objectives of NPCDCS include awareness generation for cancer prevention, screening, early detection and referral to an appropriate level institution for treatment
  • The focus is on three types of cancer namely breast, cervical and oral cancer

 

Various initiatives by government:

  • Oncology, and its various aspects, has been a focus at places such as new AIIMS and many upgraded institutions, under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojna (PMSSY)
  • The setting up of National Cancer Institute at Jhajjar in Haryana and a second campus of the Chittranjan National Cancer Institute, Kolkata, has also been approved
  • All these are aimed at enhancing the capacity for screening, prevention and treatment of cancer in the country

 

B. GS3 Related

Category:ECONOMY

1. India’s time to capitalize on oil and gas sector

 In news:
 
  • Oil companies are under pressure to prepare for a possible low-carbon future. There is a fear of being too late to embrace newer energy sources, matched by equally high risks in moving too fast
  • In such a scenario, oil companies are likely to take a two-pronged approach: diversify into new sources of energy while capitalizing on growth opportunities in conventional forms of energy

India’s scenario:

  • A closer look at India’s energy mix reflects a clear trend towards gas and renewable. But there is no imminent danger to demand for oil, forecast to grow at least until 2040
  • Today, the major fossil fuels account for more than 90% of India’s total primary commercial energy supply (TPCES).
  • At present, India’s import dependence in the oil and gas sector is significant and the PM has set a target to reduce dependence on crude imports by 10% by 2022

 

How India should react?

  • India needs to be aggressive in looking out for the best prices and competing supply sources
  • With 3.14 million sq. km of potential reserves lying unexplored until 2016, India’s potential in the oil and gas sector is immense and there exists vast headroom for new discoveries
  • Another area that calls for attention is enhanced oil recovery. With the global average recovery factor for a typical oilfield being around 40%, a substantial amount of identified oil ends up as leftover despite existing production infrastructure
  • There is a need to enhance recovery from oilfields to reduce import dependence

 

Refining and re-gassing:

 

  • India has emerged as a refining hub in Asia, serving a massive domestic market for refined petroleum products and even exports
  • Also, the government’s push towards a gas-based economy has given significant thrust to liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports, given the low domestic natural gas output
  • Both these elements present an opportunity for India’s downstream and midstream oil and gas sectors
  • The key to enhancing efficiency lies in the optimum utilization of resources and adoption of the latest technologies
  • Some of the key areas to focus in the mid- to long-term include enhancing

(1) the overall operational efficiency of plants,

(2) flexibility in refinery configuration,

(3) improving energy efficiency,

(4) upgrading the quality of fuel while upgrading facilities to produce BS-IV and BS-VI compliant fuels

Sales and distribution network:

  • With major fuels in India deregulated, retailers must focus on their sale and distribution networks.Similar efforts should be made for petrochemicals too
  • Strengthening the sales and distribution network for petrochemicals will ease margin pressures for distributors, while ensuring reliable supply for small to mid-sized distributors
  • The current distribution network is concentrated around a few producers, calling for the development of a strong network

The way forward

  • To sum up, Indian stakeholders need to adopt an aggressive but cautious approach to fully harness the opportunity created as a result of changing dynamics in the global oil and gas sector

 

D. GS4 Related

Nothing here for Today!!!

 

E. PRELIMS FACT

Nothing here for Today!!!

 

F. Practice Questions for UPSC Prelims Exam

Question 1. RBI’s affairs are governed by the Central Board of Directors (CBD) 
which also responsible for its general superintendence and direction. It consists of
  1. Union Minister of Finance as the Chairperson
  2. Governor of RBI as the Vice-Chairperson
  3. Members nominated by Union Government
  4. Nominees from SEBI and IRDA
  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 2, 3 and 4 only
  3. 3 only
  4. None of the above

See

Answer


(c
)

Type: Modern Indian History
Level: Moderate
Explanation:

There are 21-members in CBD of RBI. It comprises of Governor, 4 Deputy Governors, 2 Finance Ministry representatives. 10 Directors are nominated by Union Government in order to represent important elements from India’s economy. 4 directors are from local boards of RBI which are headquartered at Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and New Delhi.

Question 2. With reference to Rotavirus, consider the following statements:
  1. It is the most common cause of severe typhoid among infants and young children.
  2. It infects and damages the cells that line the small intestine.
  3. An indigenous Rotavac has been developed in India to tackle Rotavirus.
  4. It does not infect animals
    1. 1 and 3 only
    2. 2 only
    3. 2, 3 and 4 only
    4. 1 and 2 only

See

Answer


(b
)

Type: Science
Level: Moderate
Explanation:

Statement 1 and 4: It accounts for approximately one third of hospitalisations for severe diarrhoea in infants and children, but its importance has historically been underestimated within the public health community, particularly in developing countries. In addition to its impact on human health, rotavirus also infects animals, and is a pathogen of livestock. Statement 2: The virus is transmitted by the faecal-oral route. It infects and damages the cells that line the small intestine and causes gastroenteritis (which is often called “stomach flu” despite having no relation to influenza). Statement 3: Rotavirus Vaccine (Live Attenuated, Oral) is a monovalent liquid frozen vaccine containing live rotavirus

Question 3. What are the qualifying features of a Crypto-currency?
  1. It does not have real monetary value in the market.
  2. It is not owned or controlled by any institution
  3. It allows transacting parties to remain anonymous
  4. It is a virtually held asset

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 2,3 and 4 only
  3. 3 and 4 only
  4. 1 and 3 only

See

Answer


(b
)

Type: Economy
Level: Moderate
Explanation:

 

  • It is a digital currency which allows transacting parties to remain anonymous while confirming that the transaction is a valid one. It is not owned or controlled by any institution – governments or private. There are multiple such currencies — bitcoin, ethereum, ripple. Currently, they are neither illegal nor legal in India. We have covered the concept in an earlier test, so this need not be expanded upon further. With cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin gaining popularity in India, the government may roll out the country’s very own cryptocurrency – “Lakshmi”. The market cap for all crypto-currencies has just crossed $100 billion, with most of the increase coming in the past few months.
Question 4.The powers and the independence of the Indian judiciary allow it
 to act as the guardian of Indian democracy. What are these powers? 
  1. Anyone can approach the higher judiciary if public interest is hurt by the actions of government.
  2. Higher Judiciary can issue directives to check malpractices on the part of public officials.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2

See

Answer


(c
)

Type: Polity
Level: Moderate
Explanation:

Statement 1: This is called public interest litigation. The courts intervene to prevent the misuse of the government’s power to make decisions. For e.g. the first PIL was filed on the poor living condition of the jail inmates, the court took immediate action on the issue. Statement 2: Courts can issue writs of Mandamus to warn public officials of lapse of duty and unruly behaviour. They can also order them to perform certain functions, for e.g. ensuring passenger safety on roads or safety of women at workplaces (Vishakha guidelines).

Question 5. With reference to North East Road Network Connectivity Project (NERNCP), 
consider the following statements: 
  1. The project will be based on public-private partnership model. Recently, India and Japan signed a document on Japanese loan and aid for the project.
  2. It will enhance connectivity with inter-state roads and International Borders concerning the Northeastern region.
  3. Recently, India and Japan signed a document on Japanese loan and aid for the project.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 1 and 2 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3 only

See

Answer


(d
)

Type: International Affairs
Level: Moderate
Explanation:

The project will be executed in EPC (Engineering, procurement and Construction) Mode. Statement 2: First phase focuses on development of National Highways in Meghalaya and Mizoram. It can complement India’s connectivity initiatives in Bangladesh, Myanmar and beyond. Statement 3: Japan will extend a loan of over two thousand crore rupees to India for ‘North East Road Network Connectivity Improvement Project’ to improve NH-40 and construct a bypass on NH-54 in the Northeast. It will be financially supported by loan assistance from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

G. UPSC Mains Practice Questions

GS Paper I
 
  1. The women’s questions arose in modern India as a part of the 19th century social reform movement. What are the major issues and debates concerning women in that period?
GS Paper IV
   
  1. “Great ambition is the passion of a great character. Those endowed with it may perform very good or very bad acts. All depends on the principles which direct them.” – Napoleon Bonaparte. Stating examples mention the rulers (i) who have harmed society and country, (ii) who worked for the development of society and country.

Also, check previous Daily News Analysis

 

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