08 Feb 2021: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

CNA 8 Feb 2021:- Download PDF Here

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. GS 1 Related
B. GS 2 Related
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. Protests sweep across Myanmar, Internet access restored partially
2. U.S. must lift curbs before Iran rejoins nuclear deal: Khamenei
C. GS 3 Related
DISASTER MANAGEMENT
1. 7 killed after ‘glacial burst’ in Uttarakhand
D. GS 4 Related
E. Editorials
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. An India-EU trade pact may still remain elusive
POLITY AND GOVERNANCE
1. The cost of Internet shutdowns
ECONOMY
1. Staying watchful
F. Prelims Facts
1. Arab world’s first probe nears Mars
G. Tidbits
1. Men access mental health helpline more
2. Ukraine looking at defence purchases from India
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions

2. U.S. must lift curbs before Iran rejoins nuclear deal: Khamenei

Context:

Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said that the U.S. must completely lift sanctions first, followed by verification by Tehran, before the Islamic republic returns to its nuclear deal commitments.

  • Recently, Iran’s President ruled out changes to Iran’s nuclear accord with world powers and dismissed calls to broaden the terms of the deal and include regional countries.

This topic has been covered in 4th February 2021 Comprehensive News Analysis.

G. Tidbits

1. Men access mental health helpline more

What’s in News?

According to an internal report of Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry, men accessed the mental health helpline more.

Kiran:

  • The ‘Kiran’ service – the mental health rehabilitation helpline was set up by the Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry.
  • The helpline of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD) of the Ministry was launched in September 2020.
  • The 24/7 helpline offers early screening, psychological first-aid, psychological support, distress management, mental well-being, psychological crisis management services and referrals to mental health experts.
  • It is operated by 81 front-line professionals, apart from volunteer psychiatrists, clinical and rehabilitation psychologists.

Details:

  • 70% of the callers were men and about 32% of those who reached out were students.
  • Students were facing anxiety and depression due to the uncertainty about their future and lack of interaction with peers during the COVID-19 pandemic.

2. Ukraine looking at defence purchases from India

What’s in News?

Ukraine is looking to procure some military hardware from India in addition to efforts to deepen its presence in the Indian defence market.

  • The two sides will discuss a range of proposals to take forward bilateral cooperation at the Bilateral Working Group meeting between the two Defence Ministries in April 2021.

Note:

  • Ukraine has signed four agreements worth $70 million which includes sale of new weapons as well as maintenance and upgrades of existing ones in service with the Indian armed forces.

H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. Consider the following statements:
  1. Only the United States, India, the former Soviet Union, and the European Space Agency have successfully sent missions to orbit Mars.
  2. Al-Amal is the first Arab space mission to Mars.

Which of the given statement/s is/are INCORRECT?

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: d

Explanation:

Both statements are correct.

  • Only the United States, India, the former Soviet Union, and the European Space Agency have successfully sent missions to orbit Mars – the fourth planet from the sun.
  • Al-Amal, which mean “Hope” is the first Arab space mission to Mars.
  • It is an unmanned probe to Mars.
Q2. Consider the following statements about K2 mountain:
  1. It is the highest peak in the Karakoram.
  2. It is the world’s second-highest mountain.
  3. It is known as ‘five treasures of snow’.

Which of the given statement/s is/are INCORRECT?

  1. 3 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 1 and 3 only
  4. None of the above
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: a

Explanation:

  • K2 Mountain is the highest peak in the Karakoram.
  • It is the world’s second-highest mountain after Mount Everest.
  • Kangchenjunga is known as ‘five treasures of snow’.
Q3. Which of the following does the Department of Investment and Public Asset 
Management (DIPAM) deal with?
  1. Strategic Disinvestment
  2. Asset Monetisation
  3. Capital Restructuring
  4.  Sale of Central Government equity through offer for sale or private placement

Choose the correct option:

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

Answer: c

Explanation:

  • Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM) deals with all matters relating to the management of Central Government investments in equity including disinvestment of equity in Central Public Sector Undertakings.
  • The four major areas of its work relate to Strategic Disinvestment, Minority Stake Sales, Asset Monetisation and Capital Restructuring.
  • It also deals with all matters relating to sale of Central Government equity through offer for sale or private placement or any other mode in the erstwhile Central Public Sector Undertakings.
  • DIPAM works as one of the Departments under the Ministry of Finance.
Q4. The National Crisis Management Committee is chaired by:
  1. Prime Minister
  2. Cabinet Secretary
  3. Home Minister
  4. None of the above
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: b

Explanation:

  • The National Crisis Management Committee is a committee set up by the Government of India in the wake of a natural calamity for effective coordination and implementation of relief measures and operations.
  • It deals with major crises which have serious or national ramifications.
  • It is chaired by Cabinet Secretary.
  • Its functions are to oversee the Command, Control and Coordination of the disaster response; giving direction to the Crisis Management Group (CMG).

I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions

  1. In the midst of an Internet revolution and the world entering an era of enhanced digital connectivity, should the governments find a way other than digital curbs to secure national security and law and order situation? Examine. (GS 2 Polity and Governance) (15 Marks 250 Words).
  2. What do you understand by Euroscepticism? Discuss the major challenges facing the European Union in the backdrop of Brexit and COVID-19 pandemic. (GS 2 International Relations) (10 Marks, 150 Words)

Read the previous CNA here.

CNA 8 Feb 2021:- Download PDF Here

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  1. Dear sir/ madam
    Is daily news analysis and comprehensive news analysis same?