12-09-2023

12-SEPTEMBER-2023

The Hindu News Analysis – 12th September 2023 – Shankar IAS Academy
S. Page Number*
News Articles
No. C B D H T

1 What are picoflare jets? Sci II Sci II Sci II Sci II Sci II

2
Gresham’s law: what happens when governments fix T&C T&C
9
T&C T&C
currency exchange rates IV IV IV IV

3 West Asia corridor a historic step: PM 1, 8 1, 10 1, 10 1, 8 1, 8

4
After a year’s delay, CSIR’s Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar 10 12 12 10 10
awards for 2022 announced
*C – Chennai; B – Bengaluru; D – Delhi; H – Hyderabad; T – Thiruvananthapuram
 12-09-2023

The Hindu News Analysis – 12th September 2023 – Shankar IAS Academy
S. Page Number*
News Articles
No. C B D H T

5 SEBI concealed DRI alert on Adani, claims petition in SC 12 14 14 12 12

6
Why simultaneous elections would militate against 7 9 7 7 7
federalism

7
CBI does not require permission to probe pre-2014 1, 8 1, 10 1, 10 1, 8 1, 8
cases too: SC

8 Prelims Practice Questions

@ end of the video

9 Mains Practice Questions

*C – Chennai; B – Bengaluru; D – Delhi; H – Hyderabad; T – Thiruvananthapuram

Science Pg II - C, T, B, D, H
 12-09-2023

Solar Orbiter Mission • At its closes point it is at 26 million miles

• ESA + NASA. from the Sun.

• Aim - Studying sun’s heliosphere • Why?

 Heliosphere - region of space around the  To observe magnetic fields, waves,

Sun that is filled with the Sun's solar energetic particles & plasma escaping the

wind and magnetic field. Sun.

Solar flares and Sunspots

• Solar flare

 Sudden bursts of energy and radiation.

 Originate from the Sun's surface.

 Due to release of stored magnetic field.

• Sunspot

 Appears dark.

 Cooler than surrounding area.

 Occurs when magnetic field is strong that

it keeps heat from reaching the surface.

 Reorganizing of magnetic field in sunspot

results in sun flare.
 12-09-2023

• Coronal Mass Ejection

Effects of solar flares and CME
 Ejection of radiation and particles from
• Aurora
the Sun.

• Coronal Mass Ejection and solar flare

depends on solar activity.

• It disrupt radio signals, GPS systems,

satellite communications and damage power
grids and transformers

Picoflare jets

• Small jets of charged particles.

• Released in an intermittent fashion (20-

100 seconds at a time) from the outer
regions of the sun’s outer atmosphere.

• Less powerful than solar flares.

• Associated with magnetic activities.

• Detecting is difficult due to small size.

 12-09-2023

Practice Question – Prelims

Q. Consider the following statements about
Parker solar probe:
1. It is the first in history to fly through the
Sun’s outer atmosphere.
2. Its main aim is to investigate how energy
and heat move across the solar corona.
3. It is joint project of NASA and JAXA.
How many of the above mentioned
statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None

Text & Context

Pg IV – C, T, B, H;
Pg 9 – Delhi Edition
 12-09-2023

Gresham’s law
Exchange rate - fixed by market forces
• Named after English man Thomas Gresham.
• India - exchange rate of rupee is
• Gresham - financial adviser to the English determined by the forces of demand & supply.
monarchy during 1500s.
• High demand for dollar + less supply = value
• Principle - “Bad money drives out good”. of rupee would fall against the dollar.

• The law comes into picture when the • Less demand for dollar = value of rupee
exchange rate between 2 currencies is fixed would rise against the dollar.
by the govt.

Gresham’s law
Exchange rate fixed by the govt
• Principle - “Bad money drives out good”.
• Indian govt fixes exchange rate - Huge
• E.g. - if India fixes exchange rate
demand for dollar, but no market rate.
 Dollar - driven out from formal market &
 Result - persons having dollars would not
sold at black market.
sell them in formal forex market.
 Rupee - remains in circulation without
 Reason - less profit out of selling dollars.
enough buyers.
 Result - selling of dollars at the black
• The law also applies to other commodities
market.
like gold and silver.
• Undervalued dollar - go out of circulation in
the formal market.

• Overvalued rupee - remains in circulation

but it does not find enough buyers.
 12-09-2023

Sri Lankan economic crisis

• The Sri Lankan central bank fixed the

exchange rate between the Sri Lankan
rupee and the U.S. dollar.

 Rate - 200 rupees per dollar.

 Result - Sri Lankan rupee overvalued &

U.S. dollar undervalued

• Huge demand for dollar in Sri Lanka to

purchase foreign goods.

• Result - purchase from the black market.

Pg 1, 8 – C, H, T ;
Pg 1, 10 – B, D
 12-09-2023

India-Middle East-Europe Economic

• Built on the existing infrastructure of
Corridor (IMEEC)
International North-South Transport Corridor
• Trade and transit corridor connecting (INSTC).
India, the Middle East, and Europe.
• INSTC - India to Iran and Russia.
• Still in the planning stages
Benefits
 Northern corridor.
• Boost trade and economic cooperation.
 East corridor.
• Provide new and more efficient route for to
travel between India and Europe.

• Reduce transportation costs between the

three regions.

• Increased investment, job creation, improved

connectivity.

IMEEC challenging China • PGII - cooperation among democratic

countries and providing loans instead of charity
• IMEEC - initiative of Partnership for Global
or aid.
Infrastructure Investment (PGII).
• India middle east Europe economic corridor -
• Aim of PGII
counter measure by India against China’s BRI.
 Funding infrastructure projects in
developing countries

 Offers an alternative to the BRI (Belt and

road initiative) of China.

• PGII - G7 countries + European Union (EU).

• China’s BRI - unsustainable debts and China's

growing influence in their internal matters.
 12-09-2023

Practice Question – Prelims

Q. The Partnership for Global Infrastructure
Investment (PGII) which is recently seen in
the news is an initiative of which of the
following organization?
(a) International Monetary fund
(b) G20 and Asian Development Bank
(c) International energy forum
(d) G7 and European Union

Pg 10 – C, H, T ;
Pg 12 – B, D
 12-09-2023

Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar awards

Purpose
• Created in 1958 and given annually by CSIR.
• Most prestigious national award given to
• Dr. Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar - founder of young scientists and engineers in India.
CSIR and also the first director of CSIR.
• Recognizing outstanding research and
• Announced on CSIR's foundation day - development contributions.
September 26th.
Categories
• First receiver - Srinivasa Krishnan
• Biology, chemistry, environmental science,
Kariamanickam.
engineering, mathematics, medicine.

• A citation, a plaque, and a cash award of

Rs. 5 lakhs.

• Recipients also get Rs. 15,000 per month up

to the age of 65 years.

Eligibility Practice Question – Prelims

• Any citizen of India engaged in research in
any field of science and technology up to
the age of 45 years
• Overseas Citizens of India
Persons of Indian Origin (PIO)
• Research done in India during five years
preceding the year of the prize.
Q. The Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (SSB) Awards
are primarily given in recognition of
outstanding contributions in which of the
following fields?
(OCI) and (a) Literature and Arts
(b) Sports and Athletics
(c) Science and Technology
(d) Social and Humanitarian Services
 12-09-2023

Pg 12 – C, H, T ;
Pg 14 – B, D

Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI):

• 1988 – Established as a non-statutory body -

regulate the securities market.

• 1992 – Autonomous body • Basic functions

 Accorded statutory powers - SEBI Act,  Protect investor’s interest in

1992. securities.

• Headquarters – Mumbai  Promote development of the securities

market.

 Regulate securities market.

 12-09-2023

• Triple functions

 Quasi-legislative

 Quasi-judicial
• Composition
 Quasi-executive
 2 members - Ministry of Finance and
• Appeal - Securities Appellate Tribunal (3- Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
member panel)
 1 member - amongst the officials of
• Second appeal – Supreme court RBI.

• Exercise powers conferred in  Remaining 5 members and Chairman -

appointed by Central Government.
 Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956

 Depositories Act, 1996

 Companies Act, 2013

Terms and conditions of service of chairman and members

 12-09-2023

Pg 7 – C, D, H, T ;
Pg 9 – B

Part A—Preliminary Examination Federalism

Paper I - (200 marks) • Power and authority divided between a

 Indian Polity and Governance-Constitution, central government and state (regional)

Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, governments.

Rights Issues, etc.
• Both levels of government have their own
Part B—Main Examination set of powers and responsibilities.

PAPER-III • Tries to create a balance between a

General Studies‐II: Governance, Constitution, strong central government and autonomous

Polity, Social Justice and International relations. regional governments.

 Comparison of the Indian constitutional scheme

with that of other countries.

 Parliament and State legislatures—structure,

functioning, conduct of business, powers &
privileges and issues arising out of these.
 12-09-2023

India is a quasi federal country

Federal features on Indian constitution Unitary features on Indian constitution

• Division of powers (Schedule 7). • Strong central government.

• Supremacy of the constitution. • Single citizenship.

• Independent judiciary. • Destructible states.

• Bicameral legislature. • Emergency provisions.

• Written constitution. • All India civil services.

• Rigid constitution. • Appointment of Governors by Central

government

Why quasi federal system?

• Diverse population.

• British legacy - Government of India Act

1935.

• Integration of princely states into the

Indian Union.

• Addressing socio-economic disparities.

 12-09-2023

Impacts of simultaneous elections on Indian federalism

• Forcing premature dissolution of state government against

their will is against Indian federalism and violates rights
of the states.

• Will negatively impact the three tier governance structure

 Each of these tiers has its own roles and

responsibilities.

 Local and regional issues ignored during election

campaigns

• Regional parties will not be able to put up a fight

against the mighty national parties during elections.

UPSC Mains PYQ - 2017

GS – II
Q. ‘Simultaneous election to the Lok Sabha
and the State Assemblies will limit the
amount of time and money spent in
electioneering but it will reduce the
government’s accountability to the
people’ Discuss.
(150 words, 10 marks)
 12-09-2023

Pg 1, 8 – C, H, T ;
Pg 1, 10 – B, D

CBI
Composition
• Establishment - 1963.
• Headed by a director.
• By a resolution of Ministry of Home Affairs.
• Assisted by a special director or an additional
• Under Ministry of Personnel. director.

• Recommendations of Santhanam Committee on • Director of CBI - rank of Inspector-General

Prevention of Corruption. of Police.

• Not a statutory body. • Director - security of two-year tenure.

Appointment

• Three member committee

 Prime Minister as Chairperson

 Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha

 CJI or Judge of the Supreme Court.

 12-09-2023

Powers and functions • Assistance to the Central Vigilance Commission

• Jurisdiction across the entire country and Lokpal.

• Can take up cases referred by state • Investigates cases of corruption, bribery and
governments, courts, or on its own. misconduct of Central government employees,

• CBI derives powers - Delhi Special  Cases relating to economic laws and economic
Police Establishment Act, 1946. offences,

 Serious crimes committed by organized gangs

of professional criminals.

• Coordinating activities of anticorruption agencies.

• Specialized units - Anti-Corruption Division,

Economic Offenses Division, and Special Crimes
Division.

Practice Question – Prelims

Q. Consider the following statements about Central
bureau of Investigation (CBI):
1. CBI was established based on the
recommendation by Santhanam Committee on
Prevention of Corruption.
2. It functions under the Ministry of Home affairs.
3. CBI is not required to obtain the consent of the
state government concerned before beginning
to investigate a crime in a state.
How many of the statements given above is/are
correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
 12-09-2023

Practice Question – Prelims

Q. Consider the following statements about
Parker solar probe:
1. It is the first in history to fly through the
Sun’s outer atmosphere.
2. Its main aim is to investigate how energy
and heat move across the solar corona.
3. It is joint project of NASA and JAXA.
How many of the above mentioned
statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
 12-09-2023

Practice Question – Prelims

Q. The Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (SSB) Awards
are primarily given in recognition of
outstanding contributions in which of the
following fields?
(a) Literature and Arts
(b) Sports and Athletics
(c) Science and Technology
(d) Social and Humanitarian Services

Practice Question – Prelims

Q. Consider the following statements about Central
bureau of Investigation (CBI):
1. CBI was established based on the
recommendation by Santhanam Committee on
Prevention of Corruption.
2. It functions under the Ministry of Home affairs.
3. CBI is not required to obtain the consent of the
state government concerned before beginning
to investigate a crime in a state.
How many of the statements given above is/are
correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
 12-09-2023

Practice Question – Prelims

Q. The Partnership for Global Infrastructure
Investment (PGII) which is recently seen in
the news is an initiative of which of the
following organization?
(a) International Monetary fund
(b) G20 and Asian Development Bank
(c) International energy forum
(d) G7 and European Union

UPSC Mains PYQ - 2017

GS – II
Q. ‘Simultaneous election to the Lok Sabha
and the State Assemblies will limit the
amount of time and money spent in
electioneering but it will reduce the
government’s accountability to the
people’ Discuss.
(150 words, 10 marks)