CNA 25 Feb 2023:- Download PDF Here
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. GS 1 Related B. GS 2 Related SOCIAL JUSTICE 1. Menstrual Leave Policy in India C. GS 3 Related AGRICULTURE 1. Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) D. GS 4 Related E. Editorials SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 1. Cyberattacks are rising, but there is an ideal patch ENVIRONMENT 1. Breathing the toxic air of Chandrapur POLITY AND GOVERNANCE 1. MGNREGS: over 40% of gram panchayats do not report digital attendance F. Prelims Facts 1. Great Backyard Bird Count G. Tidbits 1. Simulated Crew Module 2. Municipal Bond Index 3. Financial Action Task Force 4. National Company Law Appellate Tribunal H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
A. GS 1 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
B. GS 2 Related
1. Menstrual Leave Policy in India
Syllabus: Welfare Schemes for Vulnerable Sections-Women
Mains: Debate on menstrual leave policy in India
Context: Supreme Court on menstrual leave policy.
Introduction:
- A three-judge Bench led by Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud while hearing a petition, seeking a direction to States to frame rules for granting menstrual pain leave for students and working women asked the petitioner to approach the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development to frame a policy.
- The Supreme Court opined that there are different “dimensions” to menstrual pain leave, which though being a biological process, may also act as a “disincentive” for employers from engaging women in their establishments.
Current Status: In India:
- In S. L. Bhagwati vs. Union of India and Ors case, 1992, the Supreme Court argued in favour of women receiving menstrual leave to take care of their health and families.
- Currently, Bihar (since 1992) and Kerala are the only states that allow menstrual pain leave.
- Several private companies have also implemented menstrual leave policies voluntarily. However, there is currently no legal requirement for companies to provide menstrual leave.
- Some of the companies that have implemented menstrual leave policies in India include Culture Machine, Gozoop, Mathrubhumi, Zomato, Swiggy and Byjus.
- The policies typically allow female employees to take one or two days off per month without using their regular leave or taking a pay cut.
- The Higher Education department in February 2023 issued an order to implement menstrual and maternity leaves for students in universities that function under the department.
Global Scenario:
- The Spanish parliament on 16 February, approved legislation to entitle workers to paid menstrual leave.
- Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Zambia and Taiwan are some of the countries that permit some kind of menstrual leave for female workers.
- In 2016, Sweden became the first country in the world to introduce a paid menstrual leave policy.
- However, most other European countries, including France, have not yet introduced similar legislation.
- Some companies in these countries may have their own policies in place to provide menstrual leave, but it is not a legal requirement.
- In addition, several companies in the United States have voluntarily implemented menstrual leave policies for their employees, including Nike and Coexist.
Arguments in favour:
- Addressing gender equality: It can help address gender inequality in the workplace by acknowledging the specific needs and challenges faced by women due to their menstrual cycles.
- Improved productivity: Allowing female employees to take time off work during their menstrual cycle can help them manage menstrual symptoms and ultimately improve their productivity, increase job satisfaction and reduce stress levels.
- Reducing stigma and discrimination: Menstruation is still a taboo subject in many parts of the world, including the workplace. Implementing menstrual leave policies can help reduce stigma and discrimination around menstruation by acknowledging it as a legitimate health concern.
- Promoting work-life balance: Menstrual leave policies can help promote work-life balance by allowing female employees to take time off work when they need it without using their regular leave or taking a pay cut.
Arguments against menstrual leaves:
- Opponents of menstrual leaves argue that it can be challenging to determine the legitimacy of leave requests. This could create resentment among other employees and cause tension in the workplace.
- They also argue that it may create administrative burdens for employers.
- A section of people argues that it reinforces gender stereotypes and could be used as an excuse for discrimination against female employees.
- Women may be reluctant to take menstrual leave for fear of it affecting their opportunities for career advancement. It could be perceived as an admission that they are not as productive as their male counterparts and may lead to stereotypes or unconscious biases.
Nut Graf: While some companies have voluntarily implemented menstrual leave policies in India, there is currently no legal requirement for companies to provide menstrual leave. The Supreme Court recently suggested that a policy on this issue falls under the domain of the union government.
C. GS 3 Related
1. Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP)
Syllabus: Sources of Irrigation
Mains: The interlinking of rivers as a solution to inter-related problems of droughts, floods, and interrupted navigation.
Context: Madhya Pradesh government has approached the Supreme Court seeking a stay on the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project’s (ERCP) execution.
Introduction:
- The state government of Madhya Pradesh has approached the Supreme Court seeking a stay on the project’s execution.
- Rajasthan has also been demanding the national project status for ERCP.
- The national project status will fix the share of the Centre and the State in the expenditure in the ratio of 90:10 for the project, the cost of which has been estimated at ₹37,200 crore.
- The Supreme Court has issued notices to the Union Jal Shakti Ministry and the Environment Ministry, the Central Water Commission (CWC) and the Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh governments in the case.
- Madhya Pradesh has also sought a stay on the construction of the Navnera barrage on the Kali Sindh river in the Kota district, Rajasthan.
Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project:
- The ERCP is a large-scale irrigation project aimed at providing irrigation water to the arid regions of eastern Rajasthan. The project involves the construction of a canal system that will draw water from the Chambal River and its tributaries and distribute it to the fields in the region.
- The project was first conceived in the 1950s and work on it began in the 1960s.
- The project covers an area of about 2 million hectares interlinking the rivers Parvati, Kali Sindh and Chambal.
- It has the potential to transform the region’s agricultural landscape and improve the livelihoods of millions of people in the area.
- However, critics have raised concerns about the environmental impact of the project, including the displacement of local communities, loss of forests and wildlife habitats, and the depletion of groundwater resources.
- There have also been concerns about the project’s cost-effectiveness and sustainability, given the high cost of maintaining the canal system and the uncertain water supply in the region.
Madhya Pradesh Vs Rajasthan:
- Madhya Pradesh has raised objections in view of the Chambal river flowing 376 km in that State.
- However, the Rajasthan government has maintained that any of the two States could use water from its catchment area as well as 10% of the water received from the other after an agreement reached by the Inter-State Water Control Board in 2005.
- According to the state Water Resources Department, Rajasthan, the largest state of India with a geographical area of 342.52 lakh hectares which amount to 10.4 percent of the entire country, holds only 1.16 per cent of India’s surface water and 1.72 percent of groundwater.
- Among the state’s water bodies, only the Chambal river basin has surplus water but this water cannot be tapped directly because the area around the Kota barrage is designated as a crocodile sanctuary.
- As per CWC data for 36 years, an average of 19,000 million cubic metres of water is wasted every year in Chambal and flows into the sea.
- The ERCP requires only 3,500 MCM of water to meet the drinking and irrigation needs of the people of Rajasthan.
- Madhya Pradesh has itself built the Mohanpura dam on the Newaj river, a tributary of the Parvati river, and the Kundalia dam on the Kali Sindh river which irrigates 2.65-lakh hectares of area in that State.
Read more on the Interlinking of Rivers.
Nut Graf: The Supreme Court has issued notices to concerned parties after the Madhya Pradesh government seeks a stay on the execution of the ERCP, which aims to provide irrigation water to arid regions of Rajasthan and positively influence the socio-economic conditions of the people.
D. GS 4 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
E. Editorials
Category: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Cyberattacks are rising, but there is an ideal patch
Syllabus: Awareness in the field of IT, and computers.
Mains: Cyberattacks and cybersecurity.
Prelims: Cybersecurity.
Details:
- Examples of some cyberattacks in India in the past few months:
- Ransomware attack on the servers of the premium medical institute, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS). It is said that around 40 million health records were compromised. Moreover, two weeks were required to bring the system back online.
- In another incident, a ransomware gang, BlackCat attacked Solar Industries Limited and extracted more than 2 terabytes of data.
Also read: Types of Cyber Attacks
Background details:
- Ransomware is a form of malicious cyberattack, where the perpetrators demand hefty payments for the release of withheld data.
- It is found that around 75% of Indian organizations have faced such attacks, with each breach costing an average of ₹35 crores of damage.
- All the critical infrastructure of the country like banking and power systems have become highly vulnerable to such attacks from hostile state and non-state actors.
- Cyber capabilities are also used in conflict situations. For instance, in Ukraine, electronic systems in warheads, radars, and communication devices were rendered ineffective through hacking and GPS jamming.
Existing provisions for cybersecurity:
- In 2022, the cyber security agency of India, CERT-in (Indian Computer Emergency Response Team) issued a set of guidelines for organizations in the digital realm. Some of the provisions are:
- Obligations of immediately reporting cyberattack incidents.
- Appointing a person to interact with CERT-In.
- The draft Digital Personal Protection Bill 2022 has proposed a penalty of up to ₹500 crore for data breaches.
- A Defence Cyber Agency (DCyA), capable of offensive and defensive manoeuvres has been established by India’s armed forces.
- Moreover, all the states have installed their own cyber command and control centres.
- Apart from the above provisions, organizations would be advised to consider the Digital Geneva Convention.
- In Digital Geneva Conventions, more than 30 global companies have signed a declaration to safeguard customers and users from cyber breaches, and collaborate with like-minded intergovernmental and state frameworks.
- India has signed cybersecurity treaties with several countries like the U.S., Russia, the U.K., South Korea, and the European Union.
- Efforts are also made to enhance cooperation in the fields of cyber responses, technology collaboration, capacity building, and cyber resilience at multilateral forums like QUAD and I2U2.
- The UN General Assembly has introduced the two processes for security purposes in the information and communication technologies (ICT) environment.
- The Open-ended Working Group (OEWG) was established through a resolution by Russia. It comprises all the UN members.
- Another resolution is proposed by the U.S. It is about the continuation of the Group of Governmental Experts (GGE). It includes 25 countries from all the major regions of the world.
Associated Concerns:
- Organizations lack the tools to identify cyber threats.
- There is an acute shortage of cybersecurity professionals. For instance, India has a total workforce of 3 lakhs in contrast to the US which has 12 lakh people in its workforce.
- The organizations in India are primarily private enterprises and thus their participation in India’s cybersecurity structures is limited.
- The vulnerability would further increase with the arrival of 5G and quantum computing.
- There is no global framework for cybersecurity.
- The two permanent members of the UN Security Council and India’s crucial strategic partners (Russia and the U.S.) differ from each other on many aspects like openness, restrictions on data flow, and digital sovereignty.
Way Ahead:
- It is estimated that in 2023, cybercrimes will cause nearly $8 trillion in damage worldwide. Thus, international cooperation would be critical to secure the digital space.
- The G20 summit should be seen as an opportunity to bring together domestic and international groups, and steer the direction of cybersecurity consultations.
- India can also try to conceptualize a global framework of common minimum acceptance for cybersecurity.
Related Link: AIR Spotlight: Cyber Security in India: Preparedness, Threats and Challenges
Nut Graf: With fast-expanding digital networks and emerging technologies, the risk of cyber attacks would rise exponentially. The need of the hour is to cooperate with all the countries of the world and build a global framework for cybersecurity.
1. Breathing the toxic air of Chandrapur
Syllabus: Environmental pollution – Air pollution.
Mains: Air pollution (a case study of Chandrapur, Maharashtra).
Prelims: Air pollution.
Details:
- The coal-fired Chandrapur Super Thermal Power Station (CSTPS) in Maharashtra’s Chandrapur district is a seven-unit facility with a capacity of around 2920 MW. It lies in the Vidarbha region, the coal-rich belt of Maharashtra.
- Chandrapur is known as ‘India’s Black Gold City’. However, it is also one of the most polluted cities in India.
- Apart from mines, Chandrapur also has cement, explosives, paper, and textile factories.
Air Pollution in Chadrapur and associated concerns:
- The CSTPS plant releases approximately 7,100 metric tonnes of fly ash which is almost equal to the weight of 18 jumbo jets.
- Moreover, it also generates 2900 metric tonnes of bottom ash (it is heavier coal waste that is non-combustible and requires safe storage).
- Notably, fly ash and bottom ash are together known as coal ash.
- In 2019, it was found that Chandrapur had a very high Comprehensive Environmental Pollution Index (CEPI) score of 76.41.
- CEPI monitors the overall environmental quality of industrial areas in India.
- In January 2022, the air became toxic and the air quality index reached a dangerous 400.
- The sulphur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) emissions were also found to be extremely high than the standard limit.
- According to a study conducted in June 2020, 32% of the surveyed street vendors complained of respiratory tract infections.
- Similarly, a report published by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) in February 2022 showed that the operation of units at CSTPS in 2020 could be linked to an estimated 85 premature deaths in Chandrapur and 62 in Nagpur. However, a defamation notice was issued by MAHAGENCO (Maharashtra State Power Generation Co. Ltd) against the report.
- The respiratory issues have increased considerably in the area around the plant. It is highlighted by the environmental activists that the CSTPS has been flouting environmental norms.
- The Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) further highlighted in September 2021 that seven million metric tonnes per annum of ash were dumped in the bund and the plant stores ash in an unscientific manner.
- A pipe that carries fly ash slurry from the thermal plant to the ash pond also leaked right over the Erai river (the lifeline of people of Chandrapur) in March 2022.
- According to the Flyash Watch Group, 76 slurry leak incidents were reported in India in the previous decade.
- India produces nearly 180 million metric tonnes of fly ash annually and it majorly remains untreated and unrecycled.
- As per the Centre for Science and Environment, one in every two coal-based plants flouts environmental norms.
Existing provisions to control air pollution:
- According to the new rules, the government has mandated 100% fly ash utilization. This implies that all coal power plants must reuse 100% of their fly ash within three years or face a fine of ₹1,000 per tonne.
- Notably, despite several concerns, the CSTPS has always obtained ‘consent to operate’ from the National Green Tribunal and the Pollution Control Board.
- The Indian government has issued a notification demanding the installation of flue gas desulphurization (FGD) units and the safe disposal of fly ash.
- FGD is a system that can curb SO2 emissions by up to 80-90% in some units.
Way Ahead:
- FGD should be installed at all thermal power plants.
- Fly ash should also be effectively reused.
- Efforts should also be made to constantly monitor and keep the contaminants’ concentrations in drinking water well within the safety limits.
- Moreover, state-run power plants should operate lawfully considering the impact on the lives of local residents.
Related Link: Delhi Air Pollution [UPSC Notes]
Nut Graf: The Chandrapur Super Thermal Power Station (CSTPS) in Maharashtra is severely impacting its immediate environment and has become one of the most polluted cities in India. It is advised that appropriate measures should be taken by the authorities to ensure a safe and secure environment in the area.
Category: POLITY AND GOVERNANCE
1. MGNREGS: over 40% of gram panchayats do not report digital attendance
Syllabus: Government policies and interventions.
Mains: MGNREGS attendance and associated concern.
Prelims: National Mobile Monitoring System (NMMS).
Context: The attendance of MGNREGS workers through the National Mobile Monitoring System (NMMS).
Details:
- The government has made it compulsory to record the attendance of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) workers through a mobile application called National Mobile Monitoring System (NMMS).
- According to statistics from the Ministry of Rural Development, 41.3% of the gram panchayats have not used the app.
- The report (MIS report 21.6) has highlighted that NMMS usage was registered only in 1,58,390 of the overall 2,69,637 gram panchayats.
- The work of capturing the attendance at each worksite is allotted to MGNREGS mates or supervisors.
- Despite the registration of approximately 3.84 lakh mates, only 99687 (25.9%) used the registered devices to record attendance.
- However, Ministry official claims that an average of 85% of MGNREGS worksites use the NMMS app to collect data. And due to area-specific challenges, 10% of worksites have been exempted.
- On the other hand, activists claim that the low usage is a reflection of the slowdown in MGNREGS work.
Associated concerns:
- It is argued that the NMMS has brought in new challenges due to poor Internet connectivity.
- Moreover, the mates are semi-skilled workers that would be burdened by mobile phone and Internet bills as no additional wages are provided for the exercise.
Nut Graf: The National Mobile Monitoring System (NMMS) has been launched by the government to capture the attendance of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) workers and reduce corruption. However, it is argued that it has brought in new challenges. It is advised that the government look into the matter and address the concerns at the earliest.
F. Prelims Facts
Syllabus: GS03-Environment
Prelims: Biodiversity; Ecological Hotspots
Context: Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) 2023
Introduction:
- GBBC India is the Indian implementation of the global Great Backyard Bird Count, which runs for 4 days every February.
- India was among 190 countries that participated in the GBBC 2023, an annual event that brings bird enthusiasts, students and nature enthusiasts together for counting birds they see around the places where they live, work or study.
- GBBC was first launched in 1998 in the US.
- The data contributed by citizen scientists are used by scientists and conservationists to better understand and protect bird species.
- Indian birders have participated in the GBBC since the event went worldwide in 2013.
- GBBC India is coordinated by the Bird Count India collective (BCI), a coming-together of a number of groups and organisations that are interested in birds, nature and conservation.
Highlights of the Count:
- West Bengal reported the highest number of species of birds, followed by Uttarakhand and Arunachal Pradesh during the Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) 2023 across 35 States and Union Territories.
- While West Bengal reported 489 species, Uttarakhand recorded 426, Arunachal Pradesh 407, Assam 397 and Karnataka 371 species.
- Tamil Nadu and Kerala took the eighth and ninth spots with 349 and 325 species, respectively.
- Kerala, on the other hand, recorded the highest number of checklists of birds by uploading 9,768 lists of birds. Maharashtra with 7,414 lists and Tamil Nadu with 6,098 were placed second and third, respectively.
- Pune birders uploaded more than 5,900 lists, the most among urban centres.
- As per the preliminary report released by the BCI, more than 46,000 checklists and a total of 1,067 avian species were uploaded on e-Bird, an online platform to record bird observations.
- A remarkable increase in participation across the country helped India upload the second-highest number of checklists after the United States and the third-highest species of any country.
G. Tidbits
- The Indian Space Research Organisation received the first simulated crew module (SCM) structure assembly for the first test flight of its human space mission – Gaganyaan.
- It was built by Hyderabad-based private firm Manjira Machine Builders.
- The SCM is 2.7 metres high, 3.1 metres wide and weighs 3.5 tonnes crew module based on aluminium alloy and steel.
- According to the ISRO, the SCM is an unpressurised crew module. It simulates the shape, outer mold line and interfaces of major systems like parachute systems and pyros of the actual crewed mission configuration.
- The SCM will be used in test rocket missions to validate crew escape systems and other subsystems.
- Actual Crew Module is a pressurised capsule that accommodates the astronauts during the Gaganyaan mission.
- NSE Indices Ltd., an arm of the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE), had introduced the country’s first municipal bond index.
- The new Nifty India Municipal Bond Index will track the performance of municipal bonds issued by Indian municipal corporations across maturities and having investment grade credit rating.
- Currently, the index has 28 municipal bonds issued by 10 issuers, all having AA credit ratings. The index constituents are assigned weights based on the outstanding amounts.
- Raising money from capital markets incentivises municipal corporations to fund new projects and improve civic infrastructure while encouraging them to become financially disciplined and governance oriented.
- The index is computed using the total return methodology including price return and coupon return. The index has a base date of January 1, 2021, and a base value of 1,000. The index will be reviewed quarterly.
3. Financial Action Task Force
- The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has suspended Russia’s membership over Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
- The move marks the first suspension of a country from the Financial Action Task Force.
- In a statement, it said that Russia’s actions are completely in violation of FATF core principles aiming to promote security, safety, and the integrity of the global financial system.
- The FATF identified Russia’s involvement in the arms trade and malicious cyber-activities, as well as evasion activities.
- The suspension comes after a campaign by Ukraine for FATF to add Russia to the FATF blacklist.
- The FATF blacklist, a list of countries where the group deems businesses and financial institutions are at high risk of exposure to money laundering and terrorist financing, currently includes three countries: North Korea, Iran and Myanmar.
- But while Russia has now been suspended, it remains a member.
- The suspension of Russia means Russia can no longer attend the group’s meetings both physically and virtually and can no longer access FATF documents. However, Russia remains accountable for implementing FATF’s anti-money-laundering standards.
- Russia since June 2022 has been restricted from holding any leadership or advisory roles or participating in decision-making on standard-setting, peer-review processes, and governance and membership issues.
- On February 24, FATF also added Nigeria and South Africa to its ‘grey list’, while removing Morocco and Cambodia from the list.
4. National Company Law Appellate Tribunal
- The National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) stayed the insolvency proceedings initiated against media major Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd.
- The matter pertains to a default of ₹89 crore by Essel Group’s multisystem operator arm Siti Networks claimed by IndusInd Bank, for which Zee Entertainment was a guarantor.
- IndusInd had approached the NCLT claiming financial debt of around ₹92 crore. However, this was challenged by Zee Entertainment by filing another appeal against the maintainability of the petition by the bank.
Read more on the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
Q1. Consider the following statements: (Level-Difficult)
- Orangutans are the largest arboreal mammal.
- They are native to the rainforests of Indonesia and Malaysia.
- All three orangutan species are considered critically endangered.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 1 and 2 only
- 2 and 3 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: d
Explanation:
- Statement 01 is correct, Orangutans are the largest arboreal mammal, spending most of their time in trees.
- Statement 02 is correct, Orangutans are native to the rainforests of Indonesia and Malaysia. They are now found only in parts of Borneo and Sumatra, but during the Pleistocene, they ranged throughout Southeast Asia and South China.
- Statement 03 is correct, There are three species of orangutan – the Bornean orangutan, the Sumatran orangutan and the Tapanuli orangutan.The conservation status of all three of these species is critically endangered, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
Q2. Kerala Government has set up an expert committee chaired by Justice Thottathil B Radhakrishnan to (Level-Difficult)
- assess at first hand the Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs) or buffer zones in Kerala
- study about Kerala’s SilverLine rail project
- understand the role of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) in the development of the economy
- monitor pollution of rivers in Kerala
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: a
Explanation: Former Chief Justice of the Calcutta High Court Thottathil B. Radhakrishnan will chair an expert committee formed by the Kerala government to conduct field studies and record details of houses, commercial establishments and other structures that exist in the 1 km buffer zones that surround wildlife sanctuaries and national parks.
Q3. 'Sabang Port', often seen in the news, is part of which country? (Level-Difficult)
- Japan
- Indonesia
- Myanmar
- Philippines
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Explanation:
- Sabang city in Aceh province, Indonesia consists of Weh Island and several smaller islands off the northern tip of Sumatra.
- Sabang port is located 710 km southeast of the Andaman Islands and less than 500 km from the entrance of the Malacca Strait, through which over 40% of India’s trade passes. The Malacca Strait is considered one of six choke points, or narrow channels, along widely used global sea routes.
Q4. Which of the following statements is/are correct with respect to 'Dekho Apna Desh' scheme? (Level-Medium)
- It is a tourism campaign intended to boost domestic travel in India.
- It was launched by the Union Ministry of Culture.
- The scheme is intended to offer financial help to tourists travelling to different parts of India.
Options:
- 1 only
- 2 only
- 1 and 3 only
- 1, 2 and 3
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: c
Explanation:
- Statement 01 is correct, The scheme aims to promote tourism and encourage people to explore the rich cultural heritage and diversity of India.
- Statement 02 is incorrect, It was launched by the Union Ministry of Tourism.
- Statement 03 is correct, The scheme is intended to offer financial help to tourists travelling to different parts of India. The government has set aside a substantial budget for the implementation of this scheme, which will be used to promote travel and build tourist infrastructure around the nation.
Q5. What was the purpose of Operation Sukoon launched by the Government of India? (PYQ-CSE-2007) (Level-Difficult)
- Helping Indonesia in its efforts to rehabilitate the victims of earthquake in that country
- Evacuating the Indian Nationals from Lebanon during the conflict in the Middle East
- Assisting United Nations in its efforts to help the civil war victims in the Darfur region of North Africa
- Providing a relief package to farmers after a spate of suicides by other farmers in Andhra Pradesh
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Explanation: Operation Sukoon was an operation launched by the Indian Navy to evacuate Indian, Sri Lankan and Nepalese nationals, as well as Lebanese nationals with Indian spouses, from the conflict zone during the 2006 Lebanon War.
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
- As modern Cyber Technology multiplies India’s capacity in different sectors, it also adds to its vulnerabilities. Comment.(250 words; 15 marks) (GS-3; Science and Technology)
- While technology is a great enabler, it can also be a stumbling block towards achieving social equality. Do you agree? Elaborate. (250 words; 15 marks) (GS-2; Social Justice)
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CNA 25 Feb 2023:- Download PDF Here
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