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Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims

and Mains Exam – 9th January 2020
Published on Jan. 9, 2020, 5:36 p.m.   IASbaba's Daily Current Affairs

IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 9th

January 2020
Archives (https://iasbaba.com/current-affairs-for-ias-upsc-
exams-2016-2017/)

(PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS)

NASA reported the discovery of an Earth-size planet

Part of: GS Prelims – National Income and GS-III- Science & Technology

In News

NASA reported the discovery of an Earth-size planet, named TOI 700 d

 Found by NASA’s Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) mission

Do you know?

Life on Earth started in water, and water is a necessary ingredient for life
When scientists search for the possibility of alien life, any rocky exoplanet in the habitable zone of
its star is an exciting nd.

Value addition for Prelims

Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) mission

Space telescope for NASA's Explorers program, 

Designed to search for exoplanet

Goldilocks zone:

Also called as  the habitable zone

 It is the range of orbits around a star within which a planetary surface can support liquid water
given suf cient atmospheric pressure

Exoplanet :

Also Extrasolar planet is a planet outside the Solar System.

least massive planet known is Draugr
HR 2562 b is the most massive planet known

Foreign direct investment (FDI): Ordinance enabling FDI in coal

mining
Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III- Economy

In News

The decision was taken to boost domestic production of Coal to one billion tonnes by 2023-24 as it
leads to cheaper inputs and increase in competitiveness

About Ordinance: 

Ordinances are laws that are promulgated by the President of India on the recommendation of the
Union Cabinet, which will have the same effect as an Act of Parliament. 
They can only be issued when Parliament is not in session. 
They enable the Indian government to take immediate legislative action

Foreign direct investment (FDI)

Investment from a party in one country into a business or corporation in another country 
Foreign direct investment can be made by expanding one’s business into a foreign country or by
becoming the owner of a company in another country.

North East Natural Gas Pipeline Grid: CCEA approves Viability

gap funding
Part of: GS Prelims- Geography and GS-III- Economy,GS-I- Geography

In News

The 1,656-km pipeline will connect Guwahati in Assam to major cities in the region such as Itanagar,
Dimapur, Kohima, Imphal, Aizawl and Agartala covering all eight states in North-Eastern region

The project is critical towards implementing the government's Hydrocarbon Vision 2030 for the
North-East

Implementation Agency: Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited (IGGL)- a joint venture company of ve
CPSEs (IOCL, ONGC, GAIL, OIL and NRL) 

Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement signed between

India and France
Part of: GS Prelims and GS-II- International Affairs

In News

The Agreement was signed in March, 2018 during the State Visit of the French President to India.
Validity of Agreement: seven years.
It incorporates provision for automatic renewal and a monitoring mechanism through a Joint
Working Group.
Signi cance: It is a major milestone in enhancing people-to-people contacts, fostering mobility of
students, academics, researchers and skilled professionals and strengthening cooperation on issues
related to irregular migration and human traf cking between the two sides. 

Amma Vodi' scheme

Part of: GS Prelims- Government Schemes and GS-II- Governance, Education

In News

Under the scheme, a nancial assistance of ₹15,000 will be given (directly deposited into bank
account) to nearly 43 lakh mothers or guardians who send their children to school (government,
private aided, private unaided schools/junior colleges) 
Orphans and street children studying in schools through voluntary organisations have also been
covered under the scheme and the money will be given to the organisations.
Only for the deserving sections: School and college dropouts are not eligible for this scheme and
neither are government employees and income-tax payers.
Impact of the Scheme: Student enrolment has already increased by 30% in the current academic
year after the announcement of the scheme.

MAINS FOCUS)

Indian Polity Federalism

TOPIC:General Studies 2:
Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and
challenges pertaining to the federal structure.

Naga Peace Process: Stuck due to in exibility of

NSCN(I-M)
Context:

The government announced ‘Christmas Gift’ deadline for concluding talks with Naga groups has passed
without any concrete results on the progress made since government Framework Agreement with
NSCN(I-M) in 2015
Origin of the Issue and the timeline of the events

The assertion of Naga Nationalism (https://iasbaba.com/2016/07/iasbabas-daily-current-affairs-6th-july-

2016/#NATIONALSECURITY) began during Colonial period and continued in Independent India. Below is
the pictorial representation of the timeline

Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 9th January 2020

What are the key demands of the Naga groups? 

Greater Nagalim  (https://iasbaba.com/2015/08/iasbabas-daily-current-affairs-6th-august-2015/)

(sovereign statehood) i.e redrawing of boundaries to bring all Naga-inhabited areas in the Northeast
under one administrative umbrella.
It includes various parts of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Assam and Myanmar as well.
Naga Yezabo (Naga Constitution) 
Naga national ag.

What was the Cease re Agreement (https://iasbaba.com/2018/05/iasbabas-daily-current-affairs-

prelims-mains-focus-9th-may-2018/#Forging_peace_in_Nagaland) which was signed in 2015?

The Government of India recognised the unique history, culture and position of the Nagas and their
sentiments and aspirations. The NSCN(Isak-Muivah) also appreciated the Indian political system
and governance.
Signi cance: It shows the governments strong intent to resolve the long standing issue and
adoption of diplomatic peaceful approach by Naga Society to ful l their aspirations.

Reasons for not accepting Naga Demand of Separate Flag & Separate Constitution

Regressive: Yezhabo is far less liberal than what Indian Constitution presently offers for Naga
people. It is regressive and some of its provisions are against modern Constitutional values of
liberty, equality & rule of law
Challenges of Wider Acceptance: Yezhabo also proposes Naga leader Muivah as the over-arching
gure of Naga politics, development and destiny which will not be acceptable to Naga Citizenry
which are spread in adjoining states of Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam
Sets a Bad Precedent: Acceding to the demand of Separate Flag will set a dangerous precedent
whereby other states also demand similar provisions
 Identity Politics: Acceding to these demands is akin to giving racial and ethnic identity an equal
footing with National Identity which will act as catalyst to Identity Politics in rest of India.
Weakens National Integrity: The overall National Consciousness and National integration process
will be weakened.
Failure of Article 370 (https://iasbaba.com/2019/08/daily-current-affairs-ias-upsc-prelims-and-
mains-exam-6th-august-2019/#Article_370): Working of Article 370 which had provided for
separate Flag and Constitution has shown that such type of measures has not yielded results but
has instead widened the gap between regional society and Indian mainstream.

Why the agreement has not been nalised yet?

It was signed only with NSCN (I-M) which in uneasy cease re since 1997. The agreement excluded
half a dozen more groups, besides Naga citizenry. This has weakened the process
In exibility by NSCN(I-M) over the contentious issue of Naga Flag and Naga constitution—Yezhabo.
Muivah who is now 85 has decided he cannot die leaving a legacy of surrender
Union government’s and the North-East’s political energy has been considerably spent on allaying
the fears over CAA (Citizenship Amendment Act) and the proposed NRC (National Register of
Citizens) thus diluting the focus on Naga peace talks

Steps taken by government over last 2-3 years to fast track the process of nalising the agreement

Talks with I-M has clearly spelt out disarmament, rehabilitation and assimilation of cadres and
leaders through induction in paramilitary forces and political structures  (expanded legislature in
Nagaland)- thus ensuring smooth integration into Indian political system
Legislative and administrative autonomy for Naga regions outside Nagaland has been a part of
talks with the Naga leadership
A breakaway faction of I-M’s arch enemies, NSCN’s Khaplang, joined the peace process with
government in 2019
Government-led outreach programs to bring on board non-Naga people in Manipur, Arunachal
Pradesh, and Assam, promising much development as a trade-off for offering Naga people in these
states more legislative representation and administrative autonomy
The State government that has decided to prepare the  Register of Indigenous Inhabitants of
Nagaland (RIIN)  (https://iasbaba.com/2019/08/daily-current-affairs-ias-upsc-prelims-and-mains-
exam-15th-august-2019/)but later due to pressure from various fractions, the decision has now
been put on hold.

Way Ahead

The government will whittle away at I-M’s political, administrative and military structure and strive
to reduce I-M’s heft along with Muivah’s and also stoke other lines of leadership. 

Reaching a consensus with broader Naga Citizenry and also convincing the non-Naga people in
adjoining states of Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur & Assam is necessary to ensure sustainable
workable agreement.

Connecting the dots:

What would be the consequence if Naga peace deal is not signed at the earliest in the backdrop of
growing tensions over CAA-NRC in North east?
Impact of acceding to demand of Nagalim on other States in North East.

Indian Polity Federalism

 TOPIC:General Studies 2:
Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and
challenges pertaining to the federal structure.

Indian Constitution - Unitary tilt & Future Federal

Challenges
Context:

Kerala Legislative Assembly passing a resolution stating that Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA)
passed by Parliament contradicts the basic values and principles of the Constitution.
West Bengal Government had  put anti-CAA advertisements on its websites using public funds
which was later withdrawn on order of High court.
Several States have declared that they will not participate in NPR (National Population Register)
exercise which will be used as basis for NRC (National Register of Citizens)
(https://iasbaba.com/2019/12/nrc-caa-citizenship-amendment-act-caa-national-register-of-
citizens-nrc/)

In this background where Centre and States are on con icting stands it becomes important to analyse
the Constitutional features of Federalism. 

The below pictorial representation explains the plausible reason for the emergence such type of
opposition by States

Daily Current Affairs IAS | UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 9th January 2020

Some of the features of Federalism in India:

Division of Powers: Presence of Union List, State list and Concurrent list
Written Constitution
Supremacy of the Constitution
Rigidity of the Constitution
Independent Judiciary
Bicameralism
However, there are various other features that makes the Constitution tilted towards Centre (Unitary
bias)

Single Constitution
Single Citizenship
Integrated Judiciary
Flexibility of the Constitution under Article 368
Appointment of State Governors by the State
All India Services – Controlled by Centre but deputed in State administrative set up
Emergency Provisions
No equality of State representation in Rajya Sabha
Parliament’s authority over State List
Veto Over State Bills
Article 256 of the Constitution obligates the State government to ensure implementation of the
laws made by Parliament. If the State government fails to do so, the Government of India is
empowered to give “such directions to a State as may appear... to be necessary” even resulting in
dismissal of the State government and imposition of Presidents Rule under Article 356 & 365.

Why was the Constitution structured with Unitary Bias?

The Indian Constitution is not based on American Model but based on Canadian Model. The reason why
India adopted Canadian model was because:

The way federal governments are formed is by way of disintegration and not by the way of
agreement amongst the states coming together like in American Federation
The States have no right to secede from the federation. Giving this right would have further
strengthened the “ ssiparous tendencies” in newly born Nation which was reeling under the
aftereffects of Partition. Thus to avoid such secession tendencies a Strong centre was created.

Working of Federalism

However, Indian working of Constitution has shown that Federalism is not just limited to legal space
where there is division of Power between Centre & State governments but Federalism has
peculated into Public participation in Democratic process.

Federalism has been re ected in people’s voting behaviour. There are examples of huge vote swings
between national and State elections, separated by only a few months, in the same constituencies.
This indicates that people make distinction between regional concerns and National concerns.

As shown in the diagram above, the emergence of Single Party Dominance system since 2014 along with
vacating of Opposition Space (partly due to decline in Parliament) has allowed regional & State
governments to occupy this space. 

This opposition by State governments now poses a threat to Federalism and questions the bias provided
for in the original Constitution especially when India is integrated now more than ever (declining
ssiparous tendencies)

Decline of Parliament involves

Using disruption as a tactic to oppose legislative discussions and stall executives agenda
Misuse of Of ce of Speaker to push forward ruling party’s agenda without meaningful debates (ex:
Certifying bills as Money bill so as to avoid scrutiny by Rajya Sabha)
 Tyranny of Political Parties: The presence of Tenth Schedule prohibits legislators to freely air their
opinion. Instead they are supposed to follow their Party’s dictates thus prioritising Political Party’s
interest over and above the Public interest
Criminalization of Politics: 43% of the 17th Lok Sabha members (2019 general elections) have
criminal charges against them according to Association of Democratic reforms
Less number of time spent on legislative deliberations: In fact, in the last 10 years, the lower House
has met for an average of 70 days a year.
Lack of Leader of Opposition since 16th Lok Sabha: With no political party gaining 10% of the
strength of the Lower House, the position has remained vacant. This has effectively weakened the
opposition voice in various platforms & committees which hold government accountable

But All is not Gloomy, this is because 

There is thrust by the Central government on Cooperative & Competitive Federalism, in spite of
having majority in Lok Sabha
Political and Administrative leadership realizes that there has to be decentralization where States
will act as engines of growth and Centre will act as facilitator of growth. The 42% devolution of
funds from Central pool of taxes to State is a re ection of this sentiment
The example of GST Council (https://iasbaba.com/2019/12/gst-compensation/) clearly shows that
Constitution provides an outlet for Sates to engage collaboratively with Centre so as to get its
concerns addressed.
Federalism is a Basic Structure of Constitution: Examples of Indian Judiciary reversing some of the
Central government’s decisions like the imposition of  Article 356, reversing President’s or
Speaker’s decision (Arunachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka) shows that Federalism will be an
integral of our system.

Connecting the dots

Will the emergence of single party system good or bad for Democracy and economic development?
Is opposition necessary in a Democratic Polity especially it when it creates obstacles in economic
development weakening Indian hand to deal with China.

(TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE)

Model questions: (You can now post your answers in comment section)

Note: 

Correct answers of today’s questions will be provided in next day’s DNA section. Kindly refer to it
and update your answers. 

Comments Up-voted by IASbaba are also the “correct answers”.

Q.1) The term 'Goldilocks Zone' is often seen in the news in the context of  (UPSC 2015)

(a) the limits of habitable zone above the surface of the Earth

(b) regions inside the Earth where shale gas is available

(c) search for the Earth-like planets in outer space

(d) search for meteorites containing precious metals 

Q2) Which of the following is/are the possible consequence/s of heavy sand mining in riverbeds?

1. Decreased salinity in the river

2. Pollution of groundwater
3. Lowering of the water-table

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

(a) 1 only 

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only 

(d) 1 ,2 and 3

Q3)Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists: 

List-I (Minerals)                        List-II (Mining area)

1. Graphite                                    1. Bellary
2. Lead                                       2. Didwana
3. Salt                                         3. Rampa
4. Silver                                      4. Zawar

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

(a) A-3; B -4; C-1; D-2     

(b) A-1; B -4; C-2; D-3

(c) A-3; B-1; C-4; D-2         

(d) A-2; B-3; C-1; D-4

Q4) Ecological research over the last quarter of the century has established the deleterious effects of
habitat fragmentation due to mining, highways and such other intrusions on forests. When a large block
of forests gets fragmented into smaller bits, the edges of all these bits come into contact with human
activities resulting in the degradation of the entire forests. Continuity of forested landscapes and
corridors gets disrupted affecting several extinction-prone species of wildlife. Habitat fragmentation is
therefore considered as the most serious threat to biodiversity conservation. Ad hoc grants of forest
lands to mining companies coupled with rampant illegal mining is aggravating this threat. 

What is the central focus of this passage?

(a) Illegal mining in forests

(b) Extinction of wildlife

(c) Conservation of nature

(d) Disruption of habitat

Q5) What is the purpose of maintaining the continuity of forested landscapes and corridors?

1. Preservation of biodiversity.
2. Management of mineral resources.
3. Grant of forest lands for human activities.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

(a) 1 only 

(b) 1 and 2

(c) 2 and 3 

(d) 1, 2 and 3

ANSWERS FOR 08 JAN 2020 TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE (TYK)

 1 B

2 C

3 D

4 B

5 D

6 A

7 A

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