Handout No.

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INDEX
DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS_30thJanuary 2020
1. CORE NOTES
(a) Article: African cheetahs to prowl Indian forests ...................................................................................1
(i) KunoPalpur Wild life Sanctuary ........................................................................................................1
(b) Article: 10 more wetlands in India declared as RamsarSites. .................................................................1
(i) Importance of Wetlands...................................................................................................................1
(ii) Ramsar Convention ..........................................................................................................................1
(iii) Montreux Record..............................................................................................................................1
(iv) Previous Ramsar Sites in India..........................................................................................................2
(c) Article: Bodos jubilant, other communities miffed.................................................................................2
(i) Positives............................................................................................................................................2
(ii) Historical Background.......................................................................................................................2
2. DEEP NOTES (EDITORIAL)
(a) Editorial: Maharaja on sale .....................................................................................................................2
(i) Terms offered this time ....................................................................................................................2
(ii) Value-addition ..................................................................................................................................2
(b) Editorial: The continuing theme of uncertainty, volatility. .....................................................................3
(i) Geopolitical challenges faced in 2019 ..............................................................................................3
(ii) Internal challenges faced by India in 2019 .......................................................................................3
(iii) Domestic Challenges ........................................................................................................................3
(c) Editorial: The many problems of delayed data .......................................................................................3
(d) Editorial: Dissent won’t hurt a nation’s foreign policy agenda...............................................................4
(e) Editorial: Alarming speed........................................................................................................................4
(i) Steps taken by India against this challenge......................................................................................4
(f) Editorial: Restructuring or bureaucratic overkill?...................................................................................4
(i) Steps proposed in this regard...........................................................................................................4
(g) Editorial: Examining the slowdown.........................................................................................................5
(i) Reasons for low growth in India in recent times..............................................................................5
3. PIB NOTES
(a) Dr. Jitendra Singh launches Bhuvan Panchayat V3.0 Web Portal ..................................................................5
(i) Vikram Sarabhai.......................................................................................................................................5
(ii) Bhuvan Portal ..........................................................................................................................................5
(b) Indian Navy launches ‘Operation Vanilla’ to provide Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief at
Madagascar. ...................................................................................................................................................6
(i) Operation Sukoon (2006) .................................................................................................................6
(ii) INS Airavat ...............................................................................................................................................6

4. DAILY MAINS QUESTION (Current Affairs and Subject).............................................................................6

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CORE NOTES o Maharashtra: Nandur (State’s First).

1. Article: African cheetahs to prowl Indian forests
Context: Supreme Court lifted its seven-year stay on
a proposal to introduce African cheetahs from
Namibia.
UPSC Topic: GS3, Environment
Topic for Prelims: African cheetahs
What is the news?
 Supreme Court lifted its seven-year stay on a
proposal to introduce African cheetahs from
Namibia into the Indian habitat.
 The plan was to revive the Indian cheetah
population.
 Background: In May 2012, SC had stalled the
plan to initiate the foreign cheetahs into the
Kuno Palpur sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh,
fearing that they may come into conflict with
an effort to reintroduce lions into the same
sanctuary.
African
Dimensions Asian Cheetah
cheetah
Critically
IUCN Status Vulnerable
Endangered
Fewer than 50
Around
Asiatic Cheetahs
7000
Left on Earth,
Habitat cheetahs
Almost Extinct.
present in
Present found
the wild
only in Iran
Kuno Palpur Wild life Sanctuary:
 It is located in Madhya Pradesh
 It was selected as a site to implement the
Asiatic Lion Reintroduction Project
 Now it is proposed for African Cheetah
reintroduction in India.
 In 2019 Status of the wildlife sanctuary
changed to Kuno National Park.
2. Article: 10 more wetlands in India declared as
Ramsar Sites.
Context: India has added 10 wetlands to sites
protected by the Ramsar Convention
UPSC Topic: GS3, Environment
Topic for Prelims: Ramsar Sites
What is the news?
 India has added 10 more wetlands to sites
protected by the Ramsar Convention.
 Number of recognised sites under the
convention increased to 37 now.
 Added sites:
o Punjab: Keshopur-Miani, Beas Conservation
Reserve and Nangal.
o Uttar Pradesh: Nawabganj, Parvati Agra,
Saman, Samaspur, Sandi and SarsaiNawar.
Importance of Wetlands:
 Economic: productive ecosystems that provide
the world with nearly two-thirds of its fish
harvest.
 Carbon sequestration: Wetlands store carbon
within their plant communities and soil instead
of releasing it to the atmosphere as carbon
dioxide.
 Bio-diversity: They provide habitat for animals
and plants
 Flood control and prevent soil erosion.
 Recreational purposes- Support tourism
 Act like Kidneys to the earth: Filter water.
Ramsar Convention:
 It was signed in 1971 in the Iranian city of
Ramsar and is one of the oldest inter-
governmental accord
 It is also known as the Convention on
Wetlands.
 Aim: preserving the ecological character of
wetlands.
 Wetlands declared as Ramsar sites are
protected under strict guidelines of the
convention.
 The inclusion in the list tells the government’s
commitment to take the steps necessary to
ensure that its ecological character is
maintained.
Montreux Record:
 It registers those wetlands where changes in
ecological character have occurred, are
occurring, or are likely to occur as a result of
technological developments, pollution or other
human interference.
 It is maintained as part of the Ramsar List.
 Currently, two wetlands of India are in
Montreux record
o Keoladeo National Park (Rajasthan) and
o Loktak Lake (Manipur).
 Chilkalake (Odisha) was placed in the record
but was later removed from it.

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Previous Ramsar Sites in India:
3. Article: Bodos jubilant, other communities miffed
Context: Third Bodo Accord signed to end the demand
1.
for a separate State or Union Territory for the Bodo
community
UPSC Topic: GS-3, Internal Security, GS1, Regionalism
Topic for Prelims: Bodoland Territorial Area
What is the news?
 Central government, the Assam government and
the Bodo groups, signed an agreement to redraw
and rename the Bodoland Territorial Area District
(BTAD) as the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR),
in Assam.
 Bodoland Territorial Region would include the
villages which are dominated by Bodos but are
outside BTAD presently.
 A committee will be formed to decide the
exclusion and inclusion of new areas.
 Bodo-Kachari Welfare Council will be set up for
focused development of Bodo villages
 Bodos living in the hills would be conferred a
Scheduled Hill Tribe status.
 Bodo language with Devanagari script would be
the associate official language for the entire
Assam.
 A Special Development Package of 1500 crore
would be given by the Centre to undertake
specific projects for the development of Bodo
areas.
Positives:
 Armed resistance groups will enter the
mainstream and contribute to the nation’s
progress.
 Bodo people will get access to a wide range of
development-oriented initiatives.
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 It will bring peace, harmony and togetherness in
the people of Assam.
Issues: Non-Bodos said- accord ignored the
interests of other ethnic communities in the area-
issue of citizenship or work permit for non-
domiciles is not addressed yet.
Historical Background:
 Bodos constitute about 5-6% of Assam’s
population.
 They demand for a Bodo state from 1967-68.
 The first Bodo accord was signed in 1993. It led to
the creation of the Bodoland Autonomous
Council (BAC) with some limited political powers.
 In 2003, the second Bodo Accord was signed. This
led to the creation of Bodoland Territorial
Council, which is an autonomous body under the
Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
DEEP NOTES
Editorial: Maharaja on sale
Context: Government’s plan to privatize Air India.
Syllabus: GS3: Indian economy: Industrial policy
Essence of the article: Privatization of Air India is a
welcome step. However, government should have
spelt out its intent on employee’s future. Failure to do
that might prevent prospective buyers from
participating in this initiative
Highlights:
Government has offered better terms than
before to prospective buyers to ensure
successful sale of Air India.
Terms offered this time:
 Sale of 100% government equity in Air India
compared to earlier 76% sale of government
equity
 Debt burden on the prospective buyers will be
lesser when compared to previous offer
 However, the present terms of buy do not
address the concerns of employees’ future
Less clarity on the employees’ interests could
deter prospective buyers from buying the airline.
Furthermore, this could also lead to discontent
among the current and retired professionals of
Air India
Way forward: Government should clearly state
its intent on this crucial issue. Ex: Moratorium on
any initial layoffs etc
Value-addition:
Data: Since 2012 nearly 30,000 crore has been
spent on reviving Air India.
Reasons that have contributed to Air India’s
losses in recent times.
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 Dwindling passenger revenue over the years due
to high competition
 Rising costs in managing airline business. Ex:
rising taxes, fuel costs
 Mismanagement of business has led to high debt
burden; sale of profitable routes to other airlines
is also an example of management failure.
 Obsolete fleet and decreasing customer
satisfaction have also contributed to the Air
India’s losses in recent times
2. Editorial: The continuing theme of uncertainty,
volatility.
Context: Changing geopolitical scenario in present
times.
Syllabus: GS-2: International relations
Essence of the article: India faces significant
challenges in the internal, geopolitical and economic
front going ahead in 2020. Managing these challenges
will decide the progress India makes in 2020
Highlights:
Geopolitical challenges faced in 2019
1. America’s policies have created confusion in
international policy making. Ex: Iran tensions,
Climate change policy, WTO policy etc.
2. China is posing a considerable challenge to
America’s leadership. Its economic clout is also
increasing due to its projects such as BRI.
3. UK has been preoccupied with Brexit issue to
play any major part in global geopolitics.
4. Instability (Lebanon, Syria, Iraq) and civil protests
(Hong Kong) have threatened the peace of the
country and the region
5. New weapons of choice such as cyber-hacks are
posing a significant challenge to global security.
USA decision on Iran; particularly assassinating
an Iranian general could pose problems to the
several countries and also to the regional
stability.
Internal challenges faced by India in 2019:
 Pulwama attack on CRPF convoy and the
resultant Balakot air strike could have disturbed
peace between India and Pakistan
 Article 370 abrogation by India which has been
questioned by many not just in India but also by
other countries on the issue of degrading human
rights situation in the region. Ex: internet
shutdown, political imprisonment of leaders.
 Citizenship amendment act (CAA) has affected
India’s global image of being a responsible
democracy.
 Highly political speeches during election
campaigns have affected India’s relations with
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some of neighboring countries. Ex: linking
Bangladesh with immigrant problem.
Internal challenges India has to find solutions to
in 2020.
Neighborhood ties:
 Need to take meaningful steps in de-escalating
tensions between India-Pakistan
 Finding solutions to India-China border dispute
while at the same time combating growing
influence of China in India’s strategic areas
 India-Sri Lanka relations needs to be managed
sensitively with the new Rajapaksa regime
 Charting out a clear plan to improve relations
with Saudi Arabia also remains a significant
challenge
Domestic Challenges:
 Easing restrictions in J&K and restoring civil
liberties
 Managing citizenship amendment act protests
(CAA) in a democratic manner will prevent
polarization of Indian society.
 Managing economy and reviving the economic
growth remains one of the most crucial
challenges for the country.
3. Editorial: The many problems of delayed data
Context: ‘Crime in India’ report released by National
Crimes Record Bureau (NCRB)
Syllabus: GS2: Governance
Essence of the article: Timely and accurate data
should be the number one priority of NCRB. It should
take measures to ensure the same.
Highlights:
NCRC is the most reliable data to study and
evolve policies against crimes in India.
However, the report faces many challenges that
make it unreliable. Such as:
1. Not all states provide data in a timely manner.
This reduces reliability of the report
2. Delay in the release of data compiled does not
help in evolving credible policies to control crime
3. Under-reporting of crimes by police and also the
public prevents NCRB data in giving a true
picture.
However, such challenge have reduced in recent
times due to
1. Increase in reporting of crimes by the media
2. Increase in awareness among the citizens in
reporting certain crimes (Ex: After Nirbhaya case,
the crimes against women reporting has
improved)
However, such awareness is yet to be created in
rural areas since crimes often go unreported
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here due to local money power and caste
oppression
Way forward:
 NCRB should create more awareness among the
public to report the crimes
 Greater pressure should be exerted on the states
to make them comply to NCRB’s needs
4. Editorial: Dissent won’t hurt a nation’s foreign policy
agenda.
Context: Anti-citizenship amendment protests
happening across the country in recent times
Syllabus: GS2: International relations
Essence of the article: Expressing dissent does not
affect a country’s foreign policy as international
partnerships are built on for the contribution they
make for the common good of the countries involved
Highlights:
Government has expressed concerns over the
impact of anti CAA protests on India’s foreign
policy interests 6.
However, such concerns are said to be misplaced
according to some experts because:
Human rights have been rarely used to discredit
a national government completely.
Ex:
1. South Africa was completely isolated even during
its Apartheid regime
2. India’s NAM policy towards countries which were
considered dictatorial (Cuba)
3. India’s relations with military regime of Myanmar
Human rights abuse against countries has been
raised more on political grounds than on any
other reason.
Ex: USA’s policy towards Cuba and Libya
Russia and China which have history of human
rights abuses have continued their foreign
relationship irrespective of it.
There have been various occasions where dissent
expressed on human rights situation has not led
to any serious downgrading of relations.
Ex: US President Obama’s comment on religious
freedoms in India.
5. Editorial: Alarming speed
Context: Rapid spread of novel Coronovirus in the
world
Syllabus: GS-2: Issues related to Health
Essence of the article: WHO should take proactive
measures and employ considerable resources to
ensure threats posed by Coronavirus is minimized.
Highlights:
Nearly, 18 countries in the world have reported
confirmed cases of novel Coronavirus.
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India is still novel Coronavirus free.
City-wide shutdown in China has not had any impact
on the spread of the virus.
Confirmed cases of human-to-human transmission
have also been reported
Steps taken by India against this challenge:
 Increase in laboratories that can test for this
strain of virus
 Thermal screening of passengers from China
 Screening procedures have also been setup to
prevent the spread between Nepal (reported
confirmed case) and 5 Indian states adjoining
Nepal.
 India should ensure that virus does not affect
Indian citizens, however, if any reported cases
occur it should duly notify the public and WHO.
 Furthermore, WHO should have raised the
concern of threats posed by this virus much
earlier
Editorial: Restructuring or bureaucratic overkill?
Context: Union cabinet decision to restructure the
railway board
Syllabus: GS2: Governance
Essence of the article: A careful reconsideration
should be taken on the cadre management rules
proposed as one of the reforms in railway
governance.
Highlights:
Steps proposed in this regard.
 Re-designating the Chairman as Chairman and
CEO
 reducing the number of Railway Board members
(from 8 to 4)
 induction of 4 independent members
 rationalizing the functions of board members
These steps are expected to improve the
efficiency of railway governance by bringing in
more transparency and accountability
However, some concerns have been expressed
over ‘single cadre’ recruitment (single
examination conducted by replacing the existing
system of multiple exams)
Reason behind this proposal: to prevent inter-
departmental rivalries.
Such reasoning has been questioned by some
because:
1. Much scope for coordination and broad
exposure exists in the present system
2. Several posts have been created to ensure
interdepartmental coordination. Ex: General
Manager, additional general manager etc
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3. It will create officers who lack no expertise on
any domain (generalist)
1.
Furthermore, the proposal leaves out the
emphasis given to few domains over the others
during promotions
Way forward
 Improve coordination through exiting
mechanism instead of a complete overhaul
 Merger between the two important domains-
mechanical and electrical will reduce most of the
interdepartmental rivalries.
7. Editorial: Examining the slowdown
Context: Current economic slowdown in our country.
Syllabus: GS3: Indian Economy
Essence of the article: The current economic
slowdown is more due to fall in investment
(household and public) rather due to fall in
consumption level.
Highlights:
Indian economy since reforms of 1991 has
enabled greater growth in the economy.
However, such consistent growth has been
missing since 2015-16
Reasons for low growth in India in recent times:
 Investment and savings rates and exports-GDP
ratio have declined in recent times (2011-19)
compared to earlier period
 Investment rate in the economy has reduced in
2011-19. This was basically due to reduction in
household and public sector investment.
Government has taken some steps to improve
household sector investment through measures
like reviving housing sector.
However, some economists have relied on data
to suggest there was no need to reduce
corporate rate tax since they did not show any
decline in investment over the years.
Household savings rate in India has reduced
since 2011-19. This fall needs to be addressed
quickly. Failure to do so will reduce the
investment in the economy.
The data also suggests that growth seen in the
economy from 2011-19 was based on
consumption rather than the growth from 2003-
11 which was due to investment
Hence, the view that the current economic
slowdown is due to fall in consumption is wrong
since (from 2011-19, consumption increased in
the economy from 56.21% of GDP in 2011-12 to
59.39% in 2018-19).
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PIB NOTES
Dr. Jitendra Singh launches Bhuvan Panchayat V3.0
Web Portal
Context: Launch of Bhuvan Panchayat V3.0 Web
Portal
Issue: Digital India
Syllabus (GS-3): E-Governance – Applications, Models,
Successes, Limitations and Potential.
Highlights:
 Union Minister of State Ministry of Development
of North Eastern Region, launched the Bhuvan
Panchayat V3.0 web portal in Bengaluru.
 ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) has
played a crucial role in developing the portal and
through many such efforts Space Technology has
reached the houses of common man.
 Space technology has contributed to ease of
living of common man, and has applications in
various fields thereby fulfilling the vision of
Vikram Sarabhai.
 The Web Geo Portal is an easy use Geo portal
developed for database visualization, data
analytics, generation of automatic reports, model
based products and services for the benefit of
Gram Panchayat members and other
stakeholders.
 The key stakeholders in the projects are public,
Panchayat Raj Institutions and others belonging
to the gram panchayats.
 ISRO also launched SISDP (Space Based
Information Support for Decentralised Planning
at Panchayat Level) project to assist Gram
Panchayats at grass root level with basic planning
inputs derived from satellite data for preparing
developmental plans, implementation and
monitoring the activities.
 Based on the experience gained from SISDP
Phase 1 project, SISDP-Update was initiated with
enhanced objectives of providing value added
geospatial products and services to aid Gram
Panchayat development planning process of
Ministry of Panchayat Raj.
Bhuvan Portal:
o Bhuvan is ISRO’s internet portal and an app
which provides visualization services and Earth
observation data to users in public domain.
o The portal also services several users for their
remote sensing application needs.
o The government agencies use this platform to
share and host their data as per their
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requirements, enabling specific applications of
their choice.
o Recently Ministry of AYUSH collaborated with
Bhuvan portal for a Yoga related app.
 SIS-DP (Space Based Information Support for
Decentralised Planning at Panchayat Level):
o It is a national initiative of preparing basic spatial
layers useful in planning process at grassroot
levels as per 73rd, 74th Constitutional
Amendment Acts.
o National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) is the
leading institution to execute the project in
collaboration with various State Remote Sensing
Centres.
2. Indian Navy launches ‘Operation Vanilla’ to provide
Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief at
Madagascar
Context: Indian Navy Outreach to friendly nations
Issue: Humanitarian Relief Operations taken by Indian
Army
Syllabus (GS-2): India and neighbourhood – relations:
Bilateral, Regional and Global Groupings and
Agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s
interests.
Highlights:
 Indian Navy Ship Airavat is deployed in
Southern Indian Ocean and diverted to
Antsiranana based on request from
Madagascar.
 It will undertake Humanitarian Assistance and
Disaster Relief mission as part of Operation
Vanilla.
 Operation Vanilla has been launched to
provide assistance to the affected population
of Madagascar post devastation caused by
Cyclone Diane.
 In coordination with Embassy of India and
Government of Madagascar is planned to
undertake relief operations to provide relief to
the flood affected populations.
 The Indian Navy Ship is preparing to set up a
medical camp and providing food, water and
other necessary relief material.
 The situation is being assessed and Indian Navy
is prepared to render all necessary assistance
to the local populace in Madagascar
Other such initiatives taken in Indian Navy in
the past.
o Operation Sukoon (2006) – a relief operation
to evacuate Indian Sri Lankan and Nepalese
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nationals from Conflict Zone during the 2006
Lebanon War
o Operation Nistar (2018) – Operation by the
Indian Navy using INS Sunayna to evacuate
Indian Citizens from Yemen Island of Socotra
who were stranded by Cyclone Mekenu
o Operation Madad (2018) – Indian Navy had
launched Operation Madad, a major rescue
and relief operation in flood-hit Kerala. The
operation was launched to assist state
administration and undertake disaster relief
operations due to unprecedented flooding in
many parts of Kerala.
INS Airavat:
o It is the third Shardul-class amphibious warfare
vessel of Indian Navy
o It was built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders &
Engineers.
o Its safety features include
Anti-roll stabilization system,
 Smoke Curtains to impede spreading of smoke
and toxic gases in case of fire.
Battle damage control systems.
o It was primarily designed for amphibious assault
operations
o Its missions include humanitarian assistance and
disaster relief (HADR) during natural disasters,
including tsunamis, cyclones and earthquakes.
DAILY MAINS QUESTION
Paper-III: GS-III: Environment
1. Plastic waste is a major environmental and public
health problem in India, particularly in the urban
areas. Elucidate. Can the Plastic Waste
Management Rules, 2016 help in addressing the
problems related to plastic waste?
(150 Words) (10 Marks).
Static Questions:
(GS-1: Medieval History: Medieval art and
architecture–Delhi sultanate, Mughal,
Vijayanagara, Kakathiyas, Bahamanis etc.)
1. Trace the growth of architecture in north India
during the Sultanate period. Mention the distinctive
features of the architecture of each phase.
(100 Words) (10 Marks).
2. Account for the architecture marvel of Vijayanagara
and Kakatiya kingdoms. (100 Words) (10 Marks).
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