05 July 2021: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

CNA 5th July 2021:- Download PDF Here

TABLE OF CONTENTS

A. GS 1 Related
B. GS 2 Related
C. GS 3 Related
SECURITY
1. IB sounds alert on Bangladeshi nationals
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. Chinese astronauts complete first spacewalk at new station
D. GS 4 Related
E. Editorials
ECONOMY
1. Mixed bag
SECURITY & DEFENCE
1. The problem now with the military synergy plan
F. Prelims Facts
1. OFB workers slam ‘draconian’ Ordinance
2. Assam woman gets bail in sedition case
3. Four years on, delay derails Railways’ CCTV project
G. Tidbits
1. J&K administration bans drones in Srinagar
2. Taliban capture several districts in Afghanistan
3. How Chhattisgarh has stalled a historic judgment
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions

Category: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. Chinese astronauts complete first spacewalk at new station

Context:

Chinese astronauts successfully performed the country’s first tandem spacewalk outside the new Tiangong station in orbit around the Earth.

  • The Shenzhou-12 spaceship carried the three astronauts to Tianhe.
    • Tianhe is the main module of the first permanent space station by China.
  • This is a major step in China’s plans to have a fully functioning space station by 2022.
  • China’s first space station called Tiangong is set to be functional by the end of 2022 and is the second space station only after the International Space Station.
  • The space station China is building is called Tiangong which means “Heavenly Space”.

2. Assam woman gets bail in sedition case

What’s in News?

An Assam woman was booked for sedition for having lunch on a tablecloth resembling the Indian flag.

  • She was also charged under the Prevention to Insults of National Honour Act, 1971.

Note:

  • The display of the National Flag is governed by the provisions of two acts viz. Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950 and Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971.
  • Further, the government issues non-statutory instructions from time to time.
  • The Flag Code of India serves as a single reference point about how to properly hoist the flag of India with due honour.
  • The Flag Code of India itself is not an act of parliament. It is a set of laws, practices and conventions that apply to the display of the national flag of India.

Sedition:

  • Section 124A, IPC states: “Whoever, by words, either spoken or written, or by signs, or by visible representation, or otherwise, brings or attempts to bring into hatred or contempt, or excites or attempts to excite disaffection towards, the Government established by law in India, shall be punished with imprisonment for life, to which a fine may be added; or, with imprisonment which may extend to three years, to which a fine may be added; or, with fine.”
  • According to the law, disaffection includes disloyalty and all feelings of enmity. However, disapprobation (criticism) of the measures or administrative action of the government to obtain their alteration by lawful means is not an offence.
  • It is classified as “cognisable” and “non-bailable” — the accused cannot get bail as a matter of right, but is subject to the discretion of the session’s judge.

For an in-depth understanding of Sedition, watch Explained: The Law of Sedition in India & Freedom of Expression.

3. Four years on, delay derails Railways’ CCTV project

What’s in News?

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the Indian Railways and RailTel for the installation of surveillance cameras at 983 stations across the country. The project has been inordinately delayed and investigation has revealed irregularities in the tendering process.

  • The MoU signed four years ago was envisaged under the “Nirbhaya Fund” to enhance the safety of women passengers.
  • As part of the scheme, RailTel was allotted the execution of Video Surveillance Systems at 983 railway stations across the country at an estimated cost of ₹500 crore.
    • It was described as one of the largest projects of its kind, involving the integration of Indian Railways and RailTel systems, with the collaboration of multiple agencies.

Nirbhaya Fund:

  • The Nirbhaya Fund was created by the Union government after the brutal gang-rape and murder of a 23-year-old woman in Delhi in 2012.
  • The dedicated fund was meant for projects specifically designed for the safety and security of women.

Read more on Nirbhaya Fund.

G. Tidbits

1. J&K administration bans drones in Srinagar

What’s in News?

The Jammu and Kashmir administration banned the sale, use and possession of unmanned aerial vehicles in Srinagar.

Background:

  • Recently, two Indian Air Force personnel were injured in a drone attack on the Air Force Station in Jammu.
    • Two explosives-laden drones had crashed into the airbase.
    • Suspicious sightings of UAVs triggered a security alert.

Read more on this topic covered in June 30th, 2021 CNA.

Details:

  • The order was issued under Section 144 of the CrPC. Violation of the guidelines would attract punitive action.
  • The government departments are allowed to use drones for mapping, surveys and surveillance in agricultural, environment conservation and disaster mitigation sectors.

2. Taliban capture several districts in Afghanistan

What’s in News?

Taliban captured several districts in Badakhshan province – Northeastern part of Afghanistan.

  • The fall of the Panjwai district in the southern province of Kandahar, the birthplace of the Taliban, comes just two days after the U.S. and NATO forces vacated their main Bagram Air Base near Kabul.
  • As the U.S plans to withdraw from Afghanistan by September 11, 2021, the Taliban have made strides throughout the country.
    • Their most significant gains have been in the northern half of Afghanistan (a traditional stronghold of the U.S.-allied warlords who helped defeat the Taliban in 2001).
  • The Taliban now control roughly a third of all 421 districts and district centres in Afghanistan.

3. How Chhattisgarh has stalled a historic judgment

Salwa Judum:

  • Salwa Judum was a militia that was mobilized and deployed as part of anti-insurgency operations in Chhattisgarh, aimed at countering Naxalite violence in the region.
  • The militia, consisting of local tribal youth, received support and training from the Chhattisgarh state government.

Nandini Sundar & Ors vs State Of Chattisgarh (2011):

  • In 2011, the Supreme Court of India declared Salwa Judum to be illegal and unconstitutional, and ordered its disbanding. The Court directed the Chhattisgarh government to recover all the firearms, ammunition and accessories.
  • The use of surrendered Maoists and untrained villagers and youth in frontline counter-insurgency operations was criticised for its violations of human rights and declared as a violation of Article 14 and Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.
  • Article 14- Equality before law. The State shall not deny to any person equality before the law or the equal protection of the laws within the territory of India; Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.
  • Article 21 – Protection of life and personal liberty. No person shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except according to procedure established by law.

Context:

  • 10th anniversary of the Salwa Judum case.

H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. Consider the following statements:
  1. The Constitution does not specify the strength of the State Public Service Commission (SPSC) but has left the matter to the discretion of the Governor.
  2. The Chairman and members of an SPSC are appointed by the Governor, they can be removed only by the President.
  3. Joint State Public Service Commission is a statutory body.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

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

Answer: d

Explanation:

  • A State Public Service Commission performs all those functions in respect of the state services as the UPSC does in relation to the Central services.
  • The Constitution does not specify the strength of the State Public Service Commission (SPSC) but has left the matter to the discretion of the Governor.
  • The Chairman and members of an SPSC are appointed by the Governor, they can be removed only by the President.
  • Joint State Public Service Commission is a statutory body.

Read more on Joint State Public Service Commission.

Q2. With reference to the Rabha Tribe, which of the following statements is/are correct?
  1. The Rabhas are a tribe from Assam.
  2. Bagurumba is a folk dance in Assam which is performed by the Rabhas.

Options:

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

Answer: a

Explanation:

  • The Rabhas are Scheduled Tribes in Assam.
  • While Bagurumba is a folk dance in Assam, it is performed by the Bodos.
  • Hamja is a folk dance performed by the Rabha tribes.
  • The Hamja Dance is about paddy cultivation.
  • Baikho Dera is the main festival of Rabhas.
Q3. The Sharda Act is one of the significant reforms initiated by the British in India. 
What does it deal with?
  1. Transfer of ancestral property
  2. Child marriage
  3. Remarriage of widows
  4. Prohibition of Sati & female infanticide
CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: b

Explanation:

  • The Child Marriage Restraint Act was a legislative act passed by the British on 28 September 1929.
  • The act fixed the marriageable age for girls at 14 years and 18 years for boys.
  • It is popularly known as the Sharda Act after its sponsor, Harbilas Sarda.
Q4. Arrange the following rivers from west to east:
  1. Ramganga
  2. Gomati
  3. Ghaghara
  4. Gandak

Options:

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

Answer: a

Explanation:

West to East: Ramganga – Gomati – Ghaghara – Gandak

Rivers in Map

Source: http://www.cwc.gov.in/ugbo/gangabasin

Q5. In India, other than ensuring that public funds are used efficiently and for intended 
purpose, what is the importance of the office of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG)?
  1. CAG exercises exchequer control on behalf of the Parliament when the President of India declares national emergency/financial emergency.
  2. CAG reports on the execution of projects or programmes by the ministries are discussed by the Public Accounts Committee.
  3. Information from CAG reports can be used by investigating agencies to frame charges against those who have violated the law while managing public finances.
  4. While dealing with the audit and accounting of government companies, CAG has certain judicial powers for prosecuting those who violate the law.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? [UPSC 2012]

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

Answer: c

Explanation:

  • Comptroller and Auditor General does not exercise exchequer control on behalf of the Parliament when the President of India declares a national emergency/financial emergency. He/she has no such powers.
  • CAG reports on the execution of projects or programmes by the ministries are discussed by the Public Accounts Committee.
  • Information from CAG reports can be used by investigating agencies to frame charges against those who have violated the law while managing public finances.

Read more on Comptroller and Auditor General of India: Role, Functions, Duties.

I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions

  1. The mandate given to the Chief of Defence Staff to bring in jointness by setting up ‘Theatre Commands’ has run into problems. Examine. (250 words; 15 marks) (GS 3 Security).
  2. Discuss the constitutionality of Salwa Judum. (250 words; 15 marks) (GS 3 Security).

Read the previous CNA here.

CNA 5th July 2021:- Download PDF Here

Comments

Leave a Comment

Your Mobile number and Email id will not be published.

*

*