A Current Affairs Monthly Publication

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New Shepard: The 11 minute space journey

Essence A Current Affairs Monthly Publication

July 2021

Human-Wildlife Conflict Amnesty scheme for violators of environment norms:

New missiles test-fired by DRDO

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TARGET UPSC 2020-21

1. The fresh consensus for a ‘Naya’ Jammu and Kashmir ................................................... 1Governance, International Relations

2. IAC will be commissioned next year: Rajnath .................................................................... 4Security / Defence

3. Relevant advice for health care-givers, mothers-to-be ...................................................7Threat to Pregnant Woman and Neonatal | Benefits of Vaccination

4. Pakistan to remain on FATF ‘Greylist’ ................................................................................... 12International Relations

5. Balancing speed and safety .................................................................................................... 15Road safety

6. ASEAN states warn of U.S. China Sea tensions .................................................................18International Relations

7. Why bacteria develop Multidrug resistance .................................................................... 22Multi-Drug resistance | Health

8. A fabled wonder in danger ...................................................................................................... 26Coral reefs

9. Govt. unveils ₹6.28 lakh crore stimulus post 2nd COVID wave ................................... 31Relief Measures

10. Nuclear-capable Agni-P missile test-fired ......................................................................... 39Science and Technology

11. Entering the CAPF’s turf ..........................................................................................................43Security | Border issues

12. Suspected drone attack on IAF Jammu station leaves 2 injured ..............................48Defence | Polity

13. OPEC risks forcing India ........................................................................................................... 53Energy Security | International Relations

14. Ensure that no migrant worker goes hungry ................................................................... 56Welfare Schemes for Vulnerable Sections (GS paper-II)

15. Government gives nod for Cipla to import Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine .............. 59Health

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16. K K Venugopal reappointed as attorney general for a year ......................................... 62Indian Constitution | Polity

17. India’s 1991 liberalisation leap and lessons for today .....................................................641991 LPG reforms- Rationale and its impact

18. Centre’s digital agri proposals raise concern’ ................................................................... 72India Digital Ecosystem of Agriculture (IDEA) (GS paper-III)

19. Global Cybersecurity Index: ITU ............................................................................................. 76Cybersecurity related issues (GS III)

20. BharatNet Project ....................................................................................................................... 79Government Policies & Interventions | Growth & Development |Infrastructure

21. What lies ahead for IBC and stressed assets resolution? ........................................ 82ECONOMY | IBC

22. Financial Stability Report: RBI ................................................................................................87Banking Sector & NBFCs |GS Paper - 3

23. G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting ...............................................................................................91International Relations (GS II )

24. Telugu States spar over water sharing ................................................................................94Water crisis | Environment and ecology, Water resources| GS II & III

25. Solar power and rural India ....................................................................................................98Solar power | Indian economy | GS Paper III

26. Digital divide in schools ..........................................................................................................102Indian education system and digital India (GS paper-II and GSIII)

27. Heat Dome ....................................................................................................................................105Geography | Important Geophysical PhenomenaGS Paper - 3

28. Literacy, numeracy mission deadline pushed to 2027 ............................................. 108GS Paper II- Issues related to Health and education

29. Appointment and removal of Chief Minister: ................................................................... 111Parliamentary government | Polity

30. Around 50% of the municipal schools not following the RTE Act mandate ..........113GS Paper III- Issues related to Education

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31. Crafting a unique partnership with Africa .......................................................................117GS Paper II: International Relations

32. Will a national judiciary work? ............................................................................................122Judiciary (GS paper-II)

33. Fly Ash ............................................................................................................................................126Prelims and GS-II – Policies and interventions and GS III – Conservation

34. Fresh stirrings on federalism as a new politics ..............................................................129GS Paper II: Federalism

35. Bengal passes resolution to set up Council .................................................................... 134POLITY AND GOVERNANCE

36. Matsya Setu ..................................................................................................................................137GS -II – Policies and interventions and GS-III – Fisheries sector

37. Delhi gets own Genome sequencing ................................................................................ 140Science and technology | Genome sequencing

38. MUDRA loan scheme ............................................................................................................. 145GS Paper III: Inclusive growth and financial Inclusion

39. Challenging negative social norms ................................................................................... 148GS Paper II: Issues related Women rights

40. New Phase- 2nd ARC Report on Structure of Government .........................................151GS Paper II: Polity & Governance|Creation of Ministries and Departments

41. Human-Wildlife Conflict .........................................................................................................155GS Paper III: Biodiversity & Environment

42. Tracking Fugitives .....................................................................................................................158GS Paper III : Internal Security

43. Terrain, facilities will affect delimitation in J&K, says ECI ........................................... 161GS Paper II: Polity & Governance |Delimitation

44. A perception shift in relations between Sri Lanka and China? ............................... 164GS Paper II : International Relation|Indo-Sri Lanka relation

45. India Rejects OIC’s Proposal ................................................................................................. 168GS Prelims and GS – II -International relations

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TARGET UPSC 2020-21

46. Shaping a trilateral as Rome looks to the Indo-Pacific ................................................ 171Prelims GS paper II: International Relations| Indo-Pacific | Indo-Iran relations

47. New Population Policy keeps all sections in mind .......................................................175GS Paper I: Population and associated issues

48. Jal Jeevan Mission ....................................................................................................................179GS Prelims and GS-II -Policies and Interventions

49. Inflation remains above 6% in June .....................................................................................182GS Paper III: Economy | Inflation

50. Regional powers and the Afghanistan question ........................................................... 187GS Paper II: India’s neighbour | International relations

51. Naga Peace Talks ....................................................................................................................... 191GS Prelims and GS -II – North East insurgency; Centre state relations

52. Disable unconstitutional sections ......................................................................................195Prelims| GSII Polity & Governance

53. India’s first Green Hydrogen Mobility Project .................................................................199GS Prelims and GS -III – Environment; Conservation; Infrastructure

54. Amnesty scheme for violators of environment norms: ...............................................203GS Prelims and GS -III – Conservation related issues

55. New European climate law: ...................................................................................................207Prelims| GSIII Conservation related issues

56. Five years later, Brexit continues to divide ........................................................................211GS Prelims and GS -III – International relations and organization

57. Cooperative Banking ................................................................................................................216GS Prelims and GS -III – Economy and Banking

58. India’s Afghan investment: .....................................................................................................219Prelims| GSII |International Relations | India & Its Neighborhood - Relations

59. Simpler drone rules to be offered ...................................................................................... 223GS Prelims and GS II, III- National security and technology

60. Notice issued to 3 MPs under anti-defection law..........................................................226GS Prelims and GS -II |Indian Constitution

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61. India needs a renewed health-care system ....................................................................230Prelims| GSIII Conservation related issues.

62. Bail orders will be sent instantly to jail authorities: SC ...............................................234GS Paper II: Polity & Governance

63. Jurisdiction of Krishna & Godavari River Management Boards ...............................238GS Prelims and GS -II |Indian Constitution

64. G7’s Build Back Better World Initiative ..............................................................................241GS Prelims and GS -II – International Relations

65. Midday meals leave a long-lasting impact: study .........................................................245GS Prelims and GS II, III- National security and technology

66. COMMON SERVICE CENTRES ...............................................................................................249GS Prelims GS Paper II, III: Governance, Government measures.

67. Ethics issues with the use of AI ........................................................................................... 253Science & Technology

68. Pegasus ........................................................................................................................................256Science & Technology

69. Right to life vs right to faith ..................................................................................................259Polity

70. Monkey B Virus ...........................................................................................................................261Science & Technology

71. NEA Scout ....................................................................................................................................263Science and Technology

72. 97th Amendment Act of the Constitution .......................................................................265GS-II: Indian Polity

73. Vacancy in Lokpal: Director of Enquiry .............................................................................267GS Prelims and GS II, Indian Polity

74. Surveillance laws in India .......................................................................................................270Governance

75. New Shepard: The 11 minute space journey .................................................................... 273GS-III Science & Technology

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TARGET UPSC 2020-21

76. Vintage Vehicle Policy ............................................................................................................. 275Government schemes and policies

77. New missiles test fired by DRDO ........................................................................................277Science & Technology

78. Drug Menace in India ..............................................................................................................279Government policies and interventions

79. Adarsh Smarak Scheme .........................................................................................................282Art & Culture, Government Schemes

80. National Curriculum Framework ........................................................................................ 284Government schemes and policies

81. New regulation for e-commerce .........................................................................................286Government schemes and policies

82. Essential Defence Services Bill, 2021 ..................................................................................288Government policies and interventions

83. Nord Stream 2 Pipeline ...........................................................................................................290International Relations

84. The Right to be Forgotten ....................................................................................................292Indian Polity

85. Microplastics Pollution ............................................................................................................294Environment

86. A push to the steel industry ..................................................................................................296Economics, Government policies

87. National Security Council .......................................................................................................298Internal Security

88. Alexander Dalrymple Award ................................................................................................ 300Current events of national & international importance

89. G20 Energy and Climate Meet ..............................................................................................302Environment, International Relations

90. Elections in PoK ........................................................................................................................ 304International Relations, Internal Security

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TARGET UPSC 2020-21

91. Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) ..............................................................................306Economics

92. Moon like object around an exoplanet..............................................................................308Science & Technology

93. Armex 21: Indian Army’s Skiing Expedition ......................................................................310Internal Security

94. Naga Peace Talks ........................................................................................................................311Government policies

95. Renegotiating Brexit ............................................................................................................... 314International relations

96. Strategic Petroleum Reserves ...............................................................................................317Economy

97. Monkeypox ...................................................................................................................................319 Science & Technology, Health

98. Cutlass Express Exercise .........................................................................................................321Defence

99. Assam Mizoram Border Dispute .......................................................................................... 323Internal Security

100. India’s new World Heritage SIte ......................................................................................... 325Art & Culture, Ancient History

101. INDRA-21 ..................................................................................................................................... 327Defence

102. James Webb Space Telescope ...........................................................................................329Science & Technology

103. The Nauka module to ISS.......................................................................................................331Science & Technology

104. US Secretary of State visits India ....................................................................................... 333International Relations

105. SCO Defence Minister’s Meet 2021 .................................................................................... 335International relations

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TARGET UPSC 2020-21

106. Earth Overshoot Day .............................................................................................................. 337Environment

107. Raja Mircha ................................................................................................................................339Current events of national importance

108. Cloudbursts ................................................................................................................................341Indian Geography

109. Inland Vessel Bill 2021 ............................................................................................................343Governance

110. International Tiger Day ..........................................................................................................345Environment and Ecology

111. Shear Layer of Sun ....................................................................................................................347Science & Technology

112. Manual Scavenging ................................................................................................................349Social Justice

113. Malnutrition in India ............................................................................................................... 353Social Justice

114. Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Amendment Bill 2021 .........356Government policies

115. Defining Creamy Layer ..........................................................................................................359Indian Polity

116. Reforms Based and Results in Linked Scheme .............................................................361Economy

117. Prelims Questions .....................................................................................................................363

118. Answer Key ............................................................................................................................... 407

119. Mains Practice Questions .................................................................................................... 408

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The fresh consensus for a ‘Naya’ Jammu and KashmirTHEME:Governance, International Relations

CONTEXT: The article counters the assertion that the change in the Government’s Kashmir policy

is influenced by regional geo-politics which is changing because of the withdrawal of

the US from Afghanistan. And the present government is doing outreach to the political

leaders of Kashmir from a position of strength.The mainstream political leaders of

Jammu and Kashmir met the Prime Minister at a meeting organised to reduce the trust

deficit between the union government and the leaders of Jammu and Kashmir.

PRELIMS ANALYSIS:Jammu and Kashmir and The naya Kashmir Background

• This move has come after the Centre scrapped provisions of the Article 370 that had

given Jammu and Kashmir special status and split it into two Union territories (UTs)

under the J&K Reorganisation Act of 2019.

1


• This is the first time that a state has been divided into UTs.

• Kargil and Leh districts form Ladakh, while the rest of the region constitutes the

Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir.

• Now, India has 9 UTs and 28 states.

Administration of UTs

• Articles 239 to 241 in Part VIII of the Constitution deal with the union territories.

• Every union territory is administered by the President acting through an

administrator appointed by him.

• The President can specify the designation of an administrator; it may be

Lieutenant Governor or Chief Commissioner or Administrator.

• The Parliament can make laws on any subject of the three lists (i.e. Union, State and

Concurrent) for the union territories.

MAINS ANALYSIS:Details:

• The meeting has been described as an important step in the ongoing efforts towards

a developed and progressive J&K.

• While committing to strengthen grassroots democracy, the PM called for quick

delimitation of constituencies, after which legislative polls could be held.

• The Home Minister insisted that the restoration of statehood will follow delimitation

and elections.

• There are signals that this could lead to an early return of democratic governance

and full statehood.

• Argument: The change in the Government’s Kashmir policy (highlighted by the

central government’s outreach) is influenced by regional geo-politics which is

changing because of the withdrawal of the US from Afghanistan. Details of this

argument are covered in the following DNS.

• Counter argument: The government’s outreach to the political leaders of Kashmir is

from a position of strength and has not been influenced by the external calculations.

Let us understand the points raised by the author to support these arguments.

Centre’s Kashmir policy and the world:

• Government’s policy since the insurgency in J&K started has never been influenced

by the external calculations.

• At the start of 1990s when India was confronted with a full-blown insurgency in the

Kashmir Valley.


• India’s staunchest ally, the Soviet Union had collapsed,

• The then United States Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia (and Central Asia),

Robin L. Raphel (with direct access to U.S. President Bill Clinton) questioned Jammu

and Kashmir’s accession to India.

• Even during this time Indian Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao’s refused to concede

ground in any substantial measure.

• So it is difficult to believe that the present government would do so under any

external pressure.

• Although the takeover of Afghanistan by the Taliban presents a difficult situation in

the region, it does not necessarily mean that it will impact Kashmir in any major way.

• Also the change in Pakistan’s stance is being influenced by not just the Nudges by

the UAE led backchannel diplomatic efforts but its mainly because of the fault lines

that exist within the Pakistan military establishment and the civil-military tussle.

Way Forward:• It is early to conclude whether the all-party meeting will succeed in building the

foundations of a new Jammu and Kashmir.

• In deciding to engage with the political parties, the Centre has made a departure

from its earlier position.

• Decades of turmoil in J&K has created unique problems of governance and

mistrust. The focus must be on building the trust and cooperation of the people of

J&K.

• For most of the 20th century, New Delhi’s policies towards this border region have

moved between tight central control and a gentler federal grip that provided space

for autonomous self-governance (through Article 370).

• 21st-century governance and empowerment require a contemporary federal solution.

• The fresh consensus for a ‘Naya’ Jammu and Kashmir must capture the best

practices of democratic governance globally.

• The first consequence of the completion of the delimitation exercise would be the

restoration of the political process and eventually holding assembly polls in the UT.

• Jammu and Kashmir’s leaders must arrive at a compelling blueprint for good

governance within a framework of healthy federal relations that will be rooted in a

vision for peace, prosperity and real empowerment.

• The bedrock of such a vision must be the extraordinarily talented and gifted young

people of the State.

• Centre and J&K leaders must ensure that the meeting leads to structured

engagement.


IAC will be commissioned next year: Rajnath

CONTEXT: The first indigenous aircraft carrier (IAC), INS Vikrant, being built at the Cochin Shipyard

will join the naval fleet next year, coinciding with the 75th year of India’s Independence.

PRELIMS ANALYSIS:Indigenous Aircraft carrier (INS Vikrant) • It is an aircraft carrier constructed by Cochin Shipyard in Kochi, Kerala for the Indian

Navy.

• It is 262 metres long and 62 metres wide and will be able to launch 30 aircraft,

including 20 fighter jets and 10 helicopters

• It will have two runways and a landing strip with STOBAR (short take off but arrested

delivery) equipment

• It is the first aircraft carrier to be built in India and also the largest vessel made in

India.

• It will have an air component of 30 aircraft, comprising MiG-29K fighter jets,

THEME:Security / Defence

2


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.

AIRCRAFT CARRIERS OF INDIAN NAVY 1. INS VIKRANT

• 1st aircraft carrier of India

• It was decommissioned in 1997 after serving for 37 years.

2. INS VIRAAT

• 2nd and the longest serving aircraft carrier of India.

• It was recently decommissioned in 2017 after serving for 56 years. (26 years as HMS

Hermes and 30 as INS Vikrant)

3. INS VIKRAMADITYA

• India and Russia signed $1.5 billion for the acquisition of the warship INS

Vikramaditya inducted to the Indian Navy in 2013.

• INS Vikramaditya is the only aircraft carrier of Indian Navy in operation.

4. INS VIKRANT (IAC-1)

• India’s 1st Indigenous Aircraft Carrier is set to be inducted to Indian Navy by next year.

5. INS VISHAL

• The 65000 tonne Naval supercarrier, INS Vishal on the lines of HMS Elizabeth will be

built by India

MAINS ANALYSIS:Why does India need a new aircraft carrier?• While INS Viraat was decommissioned in 2017, INS Vikramaditya remains the only

aircraft carrier in the navy’s fleet

• But India needs at least 2 aircraft carriers to be deployed on the western and eastern

seaboards.India can tackle both Pakistan and China on west and eastern fronts

simultaneously. India is also planning to develop the third aircraft carrier - INS Vishaal

by 2030


• Due to its Geographical proximity, Indian carriers will have better access to bases

and support facilities in the Indian Ocean than China or US, and the presence of the

carriers facilitates the projection of Indian power in the Indian Ocean ·

• These Carriers will help in achieving India’s goal of becoming a Net Security provider

in the Indian Ocean.

• The Navy is expected to get Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL)-built twin-engine

carrier aircraft by 2032. It will replace the MiG-29Ks in service which are scheduled to

start going out by 2034.

• The Navy currently has 45 Russian MiG-29K aircraft and its officials had stated that

there will not be enough aircraft to operate from both carriers.With a second carrier

to come in, the Navy is already evaluating a global tender for 57 carrier-based twin-

engine fighter aircraft.

• China currently has two aircraft carriers, with a third in early construction, and a

fourth planned for some time in the mid 2020 or 2030s.

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.

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A Current Affairs Monthly Publication