24 July 2021: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

A. GS 1 Related
B. GS 2 Related
POLITY AND GOVERNANCE
1. ‘Gatekeeper Model’ mooted to prevent suicides in prisons
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. Xi visits Tibet, first trip by leader in years
HEALTH 
1. Bird flu suspected in Kozhikode
C. GS 3 Related
SECURITY
1. More time for report on Data Bill
2. Drone with explosives shot down
ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY
1. SC dismisses plea challenging NGT ban on sale and use of firecrackers
D. GS 4 Related
E. Editorials
ENVIRONMENT AND ECOLOGY
1. Empowering nature with biocentric jurisprudence
2. The Ganga’s message
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. Return to troubles
F. Prelims Facts
1. MVA govt. to join Climate Group’s EV100 drive
2. Ten¬fold rise in NSCS budget: Bhushan
G. Tidbits
1. Rise in extreme rainfall events
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions

A. GS 1 Related

Nothing here for today!!!

B. GS 2 Related

Category: POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

1. ‘Gatekeeper Model’ mooted to prevent suicides in prisons

Context:

National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) has issued a set of guidelines on the management of mental health issues of the prisoners and prison staff.

Issue:

• The Bangalore Prison Mental Health Study points towards the prevalence of mental illness and substance use disorder in about 80% of the prison population.
• During the pandemic, the prisoners could face many vulnerabilities impacting their mental wellbeing.
• The prison staff are also working under tremendous pressure and faced challenges in performing their duty while safeguarding themselves from contracting the infection.

Details:

• NIMHANS experts said prisoners with mental disorders had to be regularly assessed for the severity of suicidal risk and also put on regular and supervised medication.
• According to it, to address the prisoner’s mental health needs, the correctional facility should have links to community-based initiatives like the District Mental Health Programme.
• To prevent suicides triggered by mental health issues in prisons across the country, NIMHANS has recommended the “Gatekeeper Model”.
  • Under the “Gatekeeper Model”, selected inmates, trained to identify prisoners at risk of suicide, would refer them for treatment or supportive services.
• The advisory said the concept of a ‘Buddy System’ was found to have a good impact on the well-being of suicidal prisoners.
  • The Buddy System involves social support through trained prisoners called “buddies” or “listeners”.
• Periodic telephone conversations with friends and family would also foster support.

C. GS 3 Related

Category: SECURITY

1. More time for report on Data Bill

Context:

The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) examining the Personal Data Protection Bill has been given an extension till the Winter Session of Parliament to submit its long-pending report.

Details:

• The Personal Data Protection Bill seeks to regulate the use of an individual’s data by the government and private companies.

Read more on Personal Data Protection Bill and related issues covered in  April 12th, 2021 CNA.

D. GS 4 Related

Nothing here for today!!!

F. Prelims Facts

1. MVA govt. to join Climate Group’s EV100 drive

What’s in News?

Maharashtra government has announced its decision to become the first state in the country to join hands with Climate Group’s EV100 campaign.

EV100

• EV100 is a global initiative led by The Climate Group, bringing together forward-looking companies committed to accelerating the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) and making electric transport the new normal by 2030. 
• Climate Group, an international non-profit, will act as a bridge between private companies and the State government to ease the process of shifting their fleets to EVs.

Maharashtra’s EV Policy:

• Maharashtra recently unveiled its electronic vehicle (EV) policy.
• It aims to achieve 25% electrification of last-mile delivery vehicles by 2025.
• Within six months from the day of notification of the policy, e-commerce companies, delivery and logistics players, and mobility aggregators will submit EV transition plans to the Transport Department.

G. Tidbits

1. Rise in extreme rainfall events

What’s in News?

The India Meteorological Department has pointed to significant variations in rainfall across the country.

• Climate scientists have warned that monsoon patterns overall have been changing.
• The southern peninsula received 29% more rain than normal while there was a huge rainfall deficit in the northeast.
• The frequency and strength of cyclones over the Arabian Sea have increased in the past two decades.
  • There is a 52% increase in the frequency of cyclones over the Arabian Sea from 2001 to 2019 and an 8% decrease over the Bay of Bengal compared with the period 1982-2002, when historically most cyclones have been in the Bay of Bengal.
• The duration of cyclones has increased by 80%.
  • More cyclones were bringing in more moisture from the Arabian Sea and contributing to extreme rainfall events.

The ongoing monsoon floods across India is unprecedented. India is seeing a threshold rise in widespread extreme rains that cause floods across the country.

H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. Consider the following statements:

1. Privilege motion can be moved only against the ministers.
2. The Speaker/RS chairperson can decide on the privilege motion himself or herself or refer it to the privileges committee of Parliament.

Which of the above statements is/are incorrect?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both
4. None

CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: a

Explanation:

• The Members of Parliament are granted certain privileges individually and collectively so as to perform their duties properly. But if any of the members disregards or misuses any of these privileges or rights, it is considered as a breach of the privilege motion and is liable for punishment under the parliamentary laws.
• Privilege motion can be moved against any member of the parliament.
• The Speaker/RS chairperson can decide on the privilege motion himself or herself or refer it to the privileges committee of Parliament.

Read more Privilege Motion – Breach of Privilege Motion & Cases

Q2. Consider the following pairs:

Storm Centres                                                   Leaders of the 1857 Revolt

1. Kanpur                                                                            Nana Sahib
2. Jhansi                                                                           Rani Laxmibai
3. Lucknow                                                                  Begum Hazrat Mahal
4. Faizabad                                                                  Maulvi Ahmadullah
5. Bihar                                                                             Jaidayal Singh

Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2, 3 and 4 only
3. 1, 2, 3 and 4 only
4. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: c

Explanation:

Storm Centres                                                   Leaders of the 1857 Revolt

• Kanpur                                                                          Nana Sahib
• Jhansi                                                                         Rani Laxmibai
• Lucknow                                                            Begum Hazrat Mahal
• Faizabad                                                               Maulvi Ahmadullah
• Rajasthan                                                  Jaidayal Singh/Hardayal Singh
• Bihar                                                               Kunwar Singh/Amar Singh

Read more: Revolt of 1857 – Causes, Impact, Failure, List of Important Leaders Involved

Q3. With reference to Madhubani Paintings, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. It has its origins in the Maithili village of Bihar.
2. Madhubani paintings bear the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

Options:

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both
4. None

CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: c

Explanation:

• Madhubani painting has its origins in the Maithili village of Bihar.
• Madhubani paintings bear the Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

Read more on Madhubani Paintings.

Q4. Which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. Biosimilars have a simple structure, while chemical drugs have a complex structure relatively.
2. Biosimilars are sensitive to storage and handling, while chemical drugs are stable.

Options:

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both
4. None

CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: b

Explanation:

• A biosimilar is a biological medical product highly similar to another already approved biological medicine.
• Chemical drugs have a simple structure whereas biosimilars have a relatively complex structure.
• Biosimilars are sensitive to storage and handling, while chemical drugs are stable.

Image source: https://www.jacionline.org/

Q5. Consider the following in respect of ‘National Career Service’: [UPSC 2017]

1. National Career Service is an initiative of the Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India.
2. National Career Service has been launched in a Mission Mode to improve the employment opportunities to uneducated youth of the country.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

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

CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: d

Explanation:

• National Career Service (NCS) project is a Mission Mode Project launched by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of India.
• It was launched for establishing quick and efficient career-related services across the country by revamping the existing nationwide set-up of Employment Exchanges into IT-enabled Career Centers.

I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions

1. India must take its laws on waste management seriously to stop microplastics pollution. Discuss by highlighting the extent of microplastic pollution in the Ganga river. (250 words; 15 marks) [GS-3, Environment and Ecology]
2. In a recent ruling, the Supreme Court of India has sought to move away from an anthropocentric basis of law. It upheld the biocentric principles of coexistence which has come as a shot in the arm for nature conservation. Examine. (250 words; 15 marks) [GS-3, Environment and Ecology]