26 June 2021: UPSC Exam Comprehensive News Analysis

A. GS 1 Related
SOCIAL ISSUES
1. Honour killing case: brother and cousin involved, alleges woman
B. GS 2 Related
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
1. Pakistan to remain on FATF greylist
2. Tibet gets first bullet train, links Lhasa to India border
C. GS 3 Related
DEFENCE
1. IAC will be commissioned next year: Rajnath
D. GS 4 Related
E. Editorials
POLITY AND GOVERNANCE
1. Future State
F. Prelims Facts
1. DRDO tests enhanced range Pinaka rocket
G. Tidbits
1. Afghan exit by U.S. may bring infiltrators: Army
2. OFB federations threaten to go on indefinite strike
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions

A. GS 1 Related

Category: SOCIAL ISSUES

1. Honour killing case: brother and cousin involved, alleges woman

Honour Killing:

• Honour killing is defined as the killing of a relative, especially a woman, who is perceived to have brought dishonour on the family. 
• A crime in the name of ‘honour’ is one of a range of violent or abusive acts. This includes emotional, physical and sexual abuse and other coercive acts.
• Those instrumental in committing these killings are families of the couple. Either they kill the couple themselves or in association with other persons from the same caste or khap or community-based panchayats.

“Honour Killing” has been covered in Comprehensive News Analysis 29 August 2019.

What is the role of Khap Panchayats?

• The purpose of these panchayats or associations is to terrorise people and prevent associations, including marriage, on the basis of choice.
• They justify their actions in various ways, but commonly on the basis of custom and tradition. These acts show a violation of fundamental rights, including the right to life and liberty.
• Khaps exercise their authority in various ways: they demand payment from couples, impose social or economic sanctions on them, order that they or their families be boycotted, divest the couple of any land or property that belongs to them, and harass, intimidate, or murder them.

B. GS 2 Related

Category: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

1. Pakistan to remain on FATF greylist

Context:

Financial Action Task Force (FATF) has retained Pakistan on the grey list or the list of countries under increased monitoring.

Read more on Financial Action Task Force (FATF).

Background:

• Pakistan was put on the grey list by the FATF in June 2018 and the country has been struggling to come out of it.
• FATF had laid down 27 benchmarks for Pakistan to comply with, in order to be taken off the grey list.
• In February 2021, three outstanding benchmarks (out of 27) blocked its exit from the grey list.

Details:

• Pakistan is now retained in the grey list as FATF judged it deficient in prosecuting the top leadership of UN Security Council-designated terror groups, including Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e Mohammad, Al Qaeda and Taliban.
• Besides, the FATF handed down another six-point list of tasks, mainly on money laundering actions.
• Grey-listing carries no legal sanctions, but it attracts economic strictures and restricts a country’s access to international loans. 
  • A loss of $10 billion to the economy annually is estimated for every year Pakistan has been on the grey list.
• If Pakistan comes out of the FATF ‘Grey List’, it will be easy for the country to get financial aid from the IMF, World Bank, ADB and the European Union, helping improve its precarious financial situation.

Why does India want Pakistan on the Grey List?

• India is apprehensive about Pakistan’s commitment to discourage terror actors from using its territory to launch attacks in India.
• Besides, it is believed that terrorist groups in Pakistan have access to support at the official level inside the country.

Pakistan’s response:

• Pakistan’s Energy Minister has accused India of attempting to politicise the process at the FATF.

C. GS 3 Related

Category: DEFENCE

1. IAC will be commissioned next year: Rajnath

Context:

The Defence Minister has said that the first indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC) being built at the Cochin Shipyard will join the naval fleet in 2022, coinciding with the 75th year of India’s independence.

INS Vikrant:

• INS Vikrant, also known as Indigenous Aircraft Carrier 1 (IAC-1), is an aircraft carrier constructed by Cochin Shipyard in Kochi, Kerala for the Indian Navy.
• It is the first aircraft carrier to be built in India and also the largest vessel made in India.
• The name Vikrant means “courageous”.
• Work on the ship’s design began in 1999, and the keel was laid in February 2009.
• AC contains nearly 75% indigenous content, from design, to steel used in construction, to key weapons and sensors.
• It will have an air component of 30 aircraft, comprising MiG-29K fighter jets, Kamov-31 airborne early warning helicopters and the soon-to-be-inducted MH-60R multi-role helicopter, besides the indigenous Advanced Light Helicopters.
• The shipborne weapons include Barak LR SAM and AK-630, while it has MFSTAR and RAN-40L 3D radars as sensors. The vessel has a Shakti EW Suite.
• It is propelled by four gas turbines.

Project Seabird:

• Project Seabird is the largest upcoming naval base.
• It would provide the facilities and infrastructure to support the Navy’s operations in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) and beyond.
• The navy currently functions with only one aircraft carrier. Therefore, this aircraft carrier would provide a boost for the Indian Navy’s capabilities.

Read more on Project Seabird covered in PIB Summary & Analysis for 24th June 2021.

India’s efforts in harnessing indigenous industry and know-how:

• 42 of the 44 warships on order are being built at Indian shipyards.
• The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) recently approved requests for proposals (RFP) of Project 75-I [for the construction of another line of diesel-electric submarines] under the strategic partnership model.
  • This would give a fillip to the indigenous development of niche manufacturing technologies.

Read more on this topic covered in June 5th, 2021 CNA.

D. GS 4 Related

Nothing here for today!!!

F. Prelims Facts

1. DRDO tests enhanced range Pinaka rocket

What’s in News?

From a Multi-Barrel Rocket Launcher (MBRL) at integrated test range, Chandipur in Odisha, the DRDO successfully test-fired:

• the enhanced range versions of the indigenously developed 122 mm calibre rocket
• the extended range version of indigenously developed Pinaka rocket

Details:

• Both the Pinaka and the 122 mm rockets were developed by the Pune-based Armament Research and Development Establishment and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory with manufacturing support from Economic Explosives Limited, Nagpur.
• 122mm rockets have been developed for Army applications and can destroy targets up to 40 km.
  • This enhanced rocket system would replace the existing 122mm Grad rockets.
• The enhanced range version of the Pinaka rocket system can destroy targets at distances up to 45 km.

G. Tidbits

1. Afghan exit by U.S. may bring infiltrators: Army

What’s in News?

• The Army has hinted at a possibility of some militants moving into Kashmir as the U.S. pulls out from Afghanistan.
• The Army, however, expressed its preparedness to foil all infiltrations and face every challenge on both the Line of Control (LoC) and the hinterland.

H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions

Q1. Which of the following countries are in the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) blacklist?

1. Iran
2. North Korea
3. Somalia
4. Syria
5. Yemen

Options:

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

CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: a

Explanation:

• The FATF blacklist is the common shorthand description for the Financial Action Task Force list of “Non-Cooperative Countries or Territories” (NCCTs).
• The FATF blacklist has been issued by the FATF since 2000 and lists countries which FATF judges to be non-cooperative in the global fight against money laundering and terrorist financing.
• Currently, Iran and North Korea are on the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) blacklist.

Q2. Consider the following statements about Additional Judges:

1. The Governor can appoint duly qualified persons as additional Judges of a high court for a period not exceeding two years.
2. The additional Judge cannot hold office after attaining the age of 65 years.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both
4. None of the above

CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: d

Explanation:

• Article 224 deals with the appointment of additional and acting Judges.
• Duly qualified persons can be appointed by the President of India as additional Judges of a high court for a maximum period of two years.
  • The President may appoint additional judges for the time being when there is a temporary increase in the business of the High Court or arrears of work.
  • Also, when a Judge of a High Court other than the Chief Justice is by reason of absence or for any other reason unable to perform the duties of his office or is appointed to act temporarily as Chief Justice, the President can appoint a duly qualified person to act as a Judge of that Court until the permanent Judge has resumed his duties.
• An acting judge/additional judge holds office until the permanent judge resumes his office.
• However, the additional Judge cannot hold office after attaining the age of 62 years.

Q3. Consider the following statements with respect to Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF):

1. National Compensatory Afforestation Fund is established under the Public Account of India.
2. As per the rules, 90% of the CAF money is to be given to the states while 10% is to be retained by the Centre.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

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

CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: c

Explanation:

• Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF) was created to compensate for the loss of tangible as well as intangible benefits from the forest lands which were diverted for non-forest use.
• National Compensatory Afforestation Fund is established under the Public Account of India.
• As per the rules, 90% of the CAF money is to be given to the states while 10% is to be retained by the Centre.

Q4. Pinaka recently seen in news is a/an

1. Airborne early warning and control system for the Indian Air Force
2. Unmanned tank developed by the DRDO
3. New explosive detection device, developed by DRDO & IISc Bangalore
4. Rocket System that can destroy targets at distances up to 45 kilometres

CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: d

Explanation:

• The Pinaka is a multi-barrel rocket system.
• Recently, the DRDO successfully test-fired an extended-range version of the indigenously developed Pinaka rocket.
• The enhanced range version of the Pinaka rocket system can destroy targets at distances up to 45 km.
• Pinaka was developed by the Pune-based Armament Research and Development Establishment and High Energy Materials Research Laboratory with manufacturing support from Economic Explosives Limited, Nagpur.

Q5. The Multi-dimensional Poverty Index developed by Oxford Poverty and Human Development 
Initiative with UNDP support covers which of the following? (2012)

1. Deprivation of education, health, assets and services at household level
2. Purchasing power parity at national level
3. Extent of budget deficit and GDP growth rate at national level

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

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

CHECK ANSWERS:-

Answer: a

Explanation:

The multi-dimensional poverty index (MPI) bases its estimation on:

• Education (years of schooling and attendance in schools)
• Health (child mortality and nutrition)
• Standard of living (electricity, sanitation, drinking water, flooring of the house, cooking fuel and asset ownership).

The idea behind this index is to measure acute multidimensional poverty across developing countries using various indicators. It was developed by OPHI with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in 2010. It is a part of UNDP’s Human Development Report (HDR) and is released annually.

I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions

1. Restoration of Statehood should be at the start of the revival of the democratic process in J&K. Critically examine the statement. (250 words; 15 marks) [GS-2, Polity and Governance]
2. Evaluate the role of the Greyhounds in tackling Naxal violence in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Can this be a model for countering insurgencies in other parts of the country? (250 words; 15 marks) [GS-3, Security]