16-03-2024

16-03-2024

Table of Contents
No. Article Newspaper Syllabus

1 Police book ex-CM BSY in POSCO case for harassing 17 year old Indian express GS - 2

2 The water warning Indian express GS - 3

3 Four Municipalities set to become Corporations The Hindu GS - 2

4 Atmospheric research test bed Indian express GS - 3

5 CCI orders probe into play store pricing policy Indian express GS - 2
 16-03-2024

Indian express – Pg 1,2

Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses

(POCSO) Act

• In compliance to India’s ratification of the

Part B—Main Examination
PAPER-II
General Studies‐II: governance, Constitution,
Polity, Social Justice and International Relations
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in
1992
• Address offences of sexual exploitation and
sexual abuse of children

• Welfare Schemes for Vulnerable Sections of the • Children- person below the age of 18 years.
population by the Centre and States and the
Performance of these Schemes; Mechanisms, Laws,
• Sexual abuse:
Institutions and Bodies constituted for the Protection
and Betterment of these Vulnerable Sections.
 Penetrative assault

 Non-penetrative assault

 Sexual harassment and pornography

 16-03-2024

Sexual Harassment of women at the workplace

• Case of child sexual abuse must be disposed (prevention, prohibition and redressal) Act, 2013
of within one year.
• Replaced Vishaka guidelines by a law.
• Amended in 2019 - provide more stringent
• legal obligation on employers to prohibit sexual
punishment, like death penalty.
harassment.
• 1023 Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs)
• Constitute an Internal complaints committee (ICC),
including 389 Exclusive POCSO Courts.
which having a power of civil court.
• World bank study- 43.44 per cent of trials
• Complete the inquiry within a time period of 90
end in acquittals and only 14.03 per cent
days.
lead to convictions .
• District Officer are mandated to take action on
• The POCSO Rules 2020 - educational
the report within 60 days.
material and curriculum for children
regarding personal safety. • Justice Verma Committee - recommended Setting
up of an Employment tribunal.

One Stop Centre Scheme (OSC): e-Samvat Portal:

• Launched by the Ministry of Women and Child • Launched- Ministry of Women and Child

Development Development

• Support and assistance to women affected by • Facilitate the filing of complaints related to

violence, including harassment. harassment.

Mahila Police Volunteers (MPVs): Women Helpline (181):

• MPVs are female volunteers trained to assist • Operates a national toll-free helpline number

women in distress. (181)

National Commission for Women (NCW): • Provide assistance and support to women
facing harassment.
• Established as a statutory body.
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) Scheme:
• Investigates and intervenes in cases of
harassment, discrimination, and violence • Promotion of the girl child and addressing the

against women. issue of female foeticide.

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Practice Question – Mains

GS – III
Q. Evaluate key policies, laws, and programs
introduced by the Indian government to combat
sexual harassment, highlighting their impact on
society and the challenges faced in their
implementation.
(250 words, 15 marks)

Part B—Main Examination

PAPER-II
General Studies‐II: governance, Constitution,
Polity, Social Justice and International Relations

• Role of women and women’s organization, population

and associated issues, poverty and developmental
issues, urbanization, their problems and their
remedies.

Indian express – Pg 10
 16-03-2024

Introduction

• Global crisis of freshwater availability and

Practice Question – Mains
access has emerged as one of the most
GS – I pressing challenges of the 21st century.
Q. Why is the world today confronted with
• Combination of environmental, socio-economic,
a crisis of availability of and access to
and political factors.
freshwater resources?
(15 marks, 250 words) • Understanding the root causes of this crisis
is crucial for devising effective strategies to
address it.

Body of answer
Pollution and Contamination
Key reasons for water crisis
• Improper waste disposal, chemical runoff
Population Growth and Urbanization and untreated sewage discharge contribute
to the degradation of water quality.
• Increased water demand for domestic,
industrial, and agricultural purposes, • Over 80% of wastewater is released without
exacerbating scarcity in already stressed treatment, according to the UN.
regions.
• Pollution of Ganges.
• Chennai - severe water crisis in 2019
Unsustainable Water Management Practices
Climate Change
• Lack of proper regulation and enforcement
• Climate change has disrupted traditional mechanisms.
precipitation patterns, leading to droughts,
• Overexploitation through irrigation, mining.
floods and unpredictable water availability.
• Examples - Aral Sea, Lake Kolleru.
• Drought in Cape Town - Day Zero.
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Conflicts and Governance Issues

• Disputes over shared water resources Way forward

exacerbate tensions between nations, regions, • Promoting water-saving practices like

and communities. rainwater harvesting.

• Dispute over Nile River between Egypt, • Adopting water-efficient farming methods such
Sudan, and Ethiopia. as precision agriculture and conservation

Economic Factors tillage.

• Economic disparities contribute to unequal • Using innovative solutions like smart

access to water, with affluent individuals and irrigation systems and water-efficient

industries often having preferential access appliances.

over disadvantaged communities. • Reducing water footprint through minimization

• Overuse of groundwater for irrigation in and offsetting of water use.

Punjab and Haryana.

Conclusion

• Addressing the freshwater crisis demands

sustainable management, improved
infrastructure, conservation and global
collaboration to counter climate change
effects.
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Part A—Prelims Examination

Paper I
• Indian Polity and Governance –
Constitution, Political System, Panchayati
Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.

Part B—Mains Examination

GS II- Governance, Constitution,

Polity, Social Justice and International
Relations
The Hindu • Functions and Responsibilities of the
Chennai, Delhi - pg-6 Union and the States, Issues and
Challenges Pertaining to the Federal
Structure, Devolution of Powers and
Finances up to Local Levels and
Challenges Therein.

• Article 243Q: recognizes nagar panchayat,

municipal council, and municipal corporation
based on population.

• Population criteria:

 Nagar panchayat (11,000 to 25,000),

 Municipal council (25,000 to 100,000)

 Municipal corporation (over 1,000,000).

• Current statistics: approximately 100 municipal

corporations, 2,100 nagar panchayats, and 1,500
municipal councils in india.
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Municipal Functions

• Urban Planning-Regulation of land use and • Education-Managing primary to secondary

construction to ensure organized growth. education institutions; promoting adult and
non-formal education.
• Water Supply Management-Ensuring clean
drinking water access; treatment and • Public Infrastructure and Services-
distribution. Overseeing emergency services, street
lighting, and maintenance of parks.
• Waste Management-Handling solid and liquid
waste collection, treatment, and disposal. • Social Welfare-Running housing, poverty
alleviation programs, and developing
• Sanitation and Public Health-Providing
transport infrastructure for urban mobility.
sanitation services; focusing on disease
prevention and cleanliness of public spaces.

Practice Question– Prelims

Q. Consider the following statements regarding
Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in India
1. According to Article 243Q of the Indian
Constitution, Urban Local Bodies are
classified based on the land area of the
cities.
2. The first Municipal Corporation in India
was established under the British Raj.
3. Bombay Municipal Corporation,
established in 1688, is the oldest
Municipal Corporation in India.
How many of the above statements is/are
correct?
a) One only
b) Two only
c) All three
d) None of the above
 16-03-2024

Part A—Prelims Examination

Paper I
• Indian and World Geography-Physical, Social,
Economic Geography of India and the World.
• General Science

Part B—Mains Examination

GS III- Technology, Economic Development,

Bio-diversity, Environment, Security and
Disaster Management

• Recent developments and their applications and

effects in everyday life
• Achievements of Indians in science & technology.

The Indian express- pg-22

Background of the atmospheric research testbed The atmospheric research test bed in central
(ART) India (ART-CI)

• The monsoon trough over central India, • Established by the Indian institute of
particularly in the monsoon core zone (MCZ), tropical meteorology (IITM)

• Crucial for understanding regional climate • Under the ministry of earth science
dynamics
• At silkheda, village of Madhya Pradesh
• Significant impact on the country's annual
• To conduct in-depth weather measurements
rainfall and agriculture.
in the MCZ.

• Focusing on the transient synoptic systems

like low-pressure areas and depressions
crucial for monsoon predictions.
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Main objectives

• Understanding monsoon dynamics

• Conducting weather detective campaigns to

test weather theories and improve
forecasts

• Serving as a global platform for

collaborative research and education in
atmospheric sciences

Impact on agriculture

ART-CI aims • By enabling farmers to make better

decisions about crop management, thus
• To enhance our understanding of
potentially increasing yields and reducing
 Cloud physics, the risk of failure.

 Precipitation patterns, • Beyond agriculture, better monsoon

 Land-atmosphere interactions predictions will also aid in

• Improving rainfall forecasts and  Water resource management,

addressing the challenges posed by  Urban planning,

climate change.
 Disaster preparedness,

 Enhancing economic and social well-

being.
 16-03-2024

Practice Question– Prelims

Q. Consider the following statements about
the Atmospheric Research Test bed in
Central India (ART-CI):
1. ART-CI was established by the Indian
Institute of Tropical Meteorology under
the Ministry of Earth Science.
2. It is located in Silkheda due to its high
pollution levels
Which of the statements given above is/are
incorrect?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2

Indian express – Pg 21
 16-03-2024

Competition Commission of India

Composition
• Statutory body.
• Chairman + 6 full time Members.
• Competition Act, 2002.
 Appointment - by Central Government.
• Quasi-Judicial body.
• Eligibility.
Aim
 Person of ability and integrity.
• Ensuring fair competition in the market.
 Special knowledge and professional
• Protecting the interest of consumers. experience of not less than fifteen
years.

Functions

• To eliminate practices that have adverse

effects on competition.

• To protect the interests of consumers.

Appeal mechanism
• To give opinion on competition issues.
• Appeal against the decision of the CCI can
• To work towards competition advocacy.
be made to the NCLAT (since 2017).
• To create public awareness.

• To imparts training on competition issues.

• To make markets work for the benefit and

welfare of consumers.
 16-03-2024

Practice Question – Prelims

Q. With reference to the Competition Act 2002,
consider the following statements:
1. The Competition Act 2002 replaced the
erstwhile Monopolies and Restrictive Trade
Practices Act, 1969 (MRTP Act).
2. The act aims to curb anti-competitive
agreements and abuse of dominant position.
3. The provisions of the act is implemented by
Competition Commission of India
Which of the statements given above is/are
correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only Two
(c) All three
(d) None

PRACTICE QUESTIONS
DISCUSSION
 16-03-2024

Practice Question– Prelims

Q. Consider the following statements regarding
Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in India
1. According to Article 243Q of the Indian
Constitution, Urban Local Bodies are
classified based on the land area of the
cities.
2. The first Municipal Corporation in India
was established under the British Raj.
3. Bombay Municipal Corporation,
established in 1688, is the oldest
Municipal Corporation in India.
How many of the above statements is/are
correct?
a) One only
b) Two only
c) All three
d) None of the above

Practice Question– Prelims

Q. Consider the following statements about
the Atmospheric Research Test bed in
Central India (ART-CI):
1. ART-CI was established by the Indian
Institute of Tropical Meteorology under
the Ministry of Earth Science.
2. It is located in Silkheda due to its high
pollution levels
Which of the statements given above is/are
incorrect?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
 16-03-2024

Practice Question – Prelims

Q. With reference to the Competition Act 2002,
consider the following statements:
1. The Competition Act 2002 replaced the
erstwhile Monopolies and Restrictive Trade
Practices Act, 1969 (MRTP Act).
2. The act aims to curb anti-competitive
agreements and abuse of dominant position.
3. The provisions of the act is implemented by
Competition Commission of India
Which of the statements given above is/are
correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only Two
(c) All three
(d) None

Practice Question – Mains

GS – III
Q. Evaluate key policies, laws, and programs introduced by the Indian government to
combat sexual harassment, highlighting their impact on society and the challenges
faced in their implementation.
(250 words, 15 marks)