World is changing fast today: The world of today is evolving rapidly. Structurally, we are seeing a re-emergence of great power contestation (now between the US and China) unlike any we have seen since the end of the Cold War (when it was between the US and Soviet). Fragmented world emerging: A rising China is challenging the fundamentals of the
Read moreHeadline : Explained: Jammu and Kashmir state to two UTs — today, later Details : In News The state of Jammu and Kashmir will be officially bifurcated into the Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh on October 31. The day will mark the beginning of the functioning of the two UTs at a bureaucratic level. This marks an important milestone in the history
Read moreHeadline : Distrust towards Chinese interference in Arctic an opportunity for India Editorial 21st Oct’19 FinancialExpress Details : Significance of Arctic: Arctic is a resource-rich area. With the melting of the sea ice, proposed sea and land routes are strategically emerging in the region. The Arctic Circle (Organization): As the Arctic has suffered from a lack of global awareness and a lack
Read moreHeadline : The state has its reasons Editorial 7th Aug’19 IndianExpress Details : Telegram : https://t.me/SimplifiedIAS Status of J&K stuck in ambiguity: For over seven decades, the status of the state of Jammu and Kashmir has been masked in ambiguity and deceit. Successive governments of both India and Pakistan had tried but failed to arrive at an amicable “final solution” because of
Read moreHeadline : One tribunal for all river water disputes: why the proposal, how it will work Details : In News: The Inter-State River Water Disputes (Amendment) Bill, 2019 has been passed by Lok Sabha. It seeks to streamline the adjudication of disputes relating to waters of inter-State rivers and river valleys. News Summary: The Bill cleared by Lok Sabha seeks to
Read moreHeadline : For Naya Kashmir Editorial 6th Aug’19 IndianExpress Details : Telegram: https://t.me/UpscExpress Kashmiri leaders also sought progress: Naya Kashmir was a memorandum that Kashmiri leader Sheikh Abdullah submitted to the King of erstwhile Kashmir kingdom Maharaja Hari Singh in 1944. It outlined a plan to convert J&K from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional democracy, called for universal franchise, freedom
Read moreHeadline : J&K loses its special status, divided into two UTs Details : Telegram: https://t.me/UpscExpress The News: In a historic decision, the Indian government has changed the terms of engagement with Jammu and Kashmir by doing away with the special status enjoyed by the state under Article 370, scrapping Article 35A and splitting the state into two UTs of J&K and Ladakh. Background: Special status to
Read moreHeadline : Consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav: What ICJ ordered; Pakistan has ‘offered’ to India Details : In News: Pakistan has offered India consular access to Kulbhushan Jadhav, the India who’s been in jail in Pakistan since 2016. India is “evaluating” the Pakistani proposal which comes with some strict conditions. Background: Kulbhushan Jadhav is a former Indian Navy officer, who was arrested
Read moreHeadline : Lawmakers work overtime, Lok Sabha session set to be most productive in 20 years Details : In News: In this session of the Parliament, Lok Sabha has already passed 30 Bills, while Rajya Sabha has passes 25 Bills. In terms of legislative business transacted during the first session of a fresh Lok Sabha, the government claims the current session
Read morePSIR Optional : Justice as Fairness by Shubhra Ranjan Download Telegram: https://t.me/SimplifiedIAS
Read moreHeadline : Explained: LoC trade, in perspective Details : Context of the topic: Last week, the government of India suspended the cross-LoC trade, alleging misuse of the facility by individuals linked to terrorist groups Theme of the topic: The topic gives a brief account of information about the History of the cross-LoC trade and its objective. Historical background of
Read moreHeadline : After unsuccessful summit with Trump, North Korean Kim Jong Un is again using military optics Details : The news North Korean leader Kim Jong Un is returning to his military optics two months after his unsuccessful summit with the US President. Background North Korea’s quest for a nuclear weapon can be traced back decades to the Korean War.
Read moreHeadline : Either way, the news is bad Editorial 20th Apr’19 TheHindu Pakistan’s economy in free-fall: Pakistan’s economy is in ruins, with almost every indicator deteriorating substantially. Inflation: Inflation, at 9.4%, is at its highest level in five-and-a-half years and is likely to rise to double digits for the months ahead. Currency depreciation: The Pakistani rupee continues to lose value regularly, which adds
Read moreHeadline : Plea in SC on voting rights of undertrials and convicts Details : The News Recently a plea has been filed in the Supreme Court under Article 32 challenging an electoral law denying undertrials and convicts their right to vote. Provision violating the right to equality Section 62(5) of the Representation of People Act of 1951 : The provision deprives any person
Read moreHeadline : External affairs ministry sets up Indo-Pacific wing Details : The News: In a recent move, India has just set up an Indo-Pacific division in the foreign office, which will integrate the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), Asean region and the Quad to the Indo-Pacific table. Background: The US has recently renamed its Pacific Command to the Indo-Pacific Command
Read moreHeadline : Steps to cement ties with China Editorial 10th Apr’19 IndianExpress Details : Focus must remain on foreign policy even in election season: Even as India heads into a general election, it is important to keep focus on and not lose track of how the country must shape its foreign policy over the coming five years. Suggestions, inputs, advice on
Read moreHeadline : How Election Commission runs poll machinery? Details : Theme: The article analysis how Election Commission draws manpower for polls, and what disciplinary control it exercises over these officers. Election Commission of India: The Election Commission of India (ECI) is an autonomous constitutional body responsible for administering election processes in India. It was established on January 25, 1950. Elections administrated by
Read moreIndia’s imports from China decelerating: Report News Context: Recently PHD chamber of Commerce has reported that there has been deceleration of demand for China’s products in India, during the April-January period of 2018-19 financial years. Indo- China Trade China is India’s 3rd largest export destination and largest sources of imports to India. There was a tremendous jump in total trade
Read moreApproach: Briefly explain Article 356 and the grounds for its Explain why it was hoped to be a ‘dead-letter’. Discuss how it has become the most controversial provisions of the Answer: Article 356 of the Indian Constitution empowers the Centre to take over the State Government on certain grounds. Popularly known as the President’s rule it authorizes the President to
Read moreHeadline : Finance Bill, 2017 certified as Money Bill by Speaker, court can’t interfere: Centre to SC Details : News Summary A batch of petitions were filed in the Supreme Court challenging that the passing of Finance Act, 2017 as a Money Bill was a “colourable exercise of power and a fraud on the Constitution.” Arguments given by Attorney General of
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India and USA relation by Vajiram and Ravi Download
Read moreChina destroys maps showing ‘wrong’ border The news Chinese Customs officials have destroyed 30,000 world maps printed in the country for not mentioning Arunachal Pradesh and Taiwan as part of its territory. Background China claims the north-eastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh as part of South Tibet and persistently objects to Indian leaders visiting Arunachal Pradesh. However, India maintains that
Read moreAnswer: • The women’s question like the untouchability or the communal question emerged during the nationalist movement that had to be solved to give shape to the vision of a free India. From the 19th century, the women’s question has formed one of the major issues in socio-political debate. • In the Indian society, the coming of British rule led
Read moreGuatemala drags India to WTO’s dispute mechanism over sugar subsidies Details : The News Guatemala has dragged India into the World Trade Organisation (WTO) dispute settlement mechanism. The dispute has been filed against the domestic support measures maintained by India in favour of producers of sugarcane and sugar, and export subsidies for sugarcane and sugar. Where is Guatemala? Guatemala
Read moreEconomic ties are one of the biggest positive drivers of India-China relationship but the high imbalance of trade in favour of China remains a matter of concern. Discuss along with measures to reduce trade deficit for India. (15 marks) Approach: Introduce with India-China relationship Make a note on facts about trade imbalance Explain the reasons for trade deficit Suggest measures to improve
Read moreHeadline : India, Russia sign deal on nuclear submarine Details : In News India and Russia signed an Inter-governmental agreement for leasing of Akula class nuclear-powered submarine Chakra III. The $3-billion deal requires Russia to lease Chakra III to India for at least 10 years starting 2025. Chakra III: Akula Class Nuclear-powered submarine Features Chakra III is an Akula-II class advanced nuclear-powered attack
Read moreWhat do you mean by delegated legislation? Give its advantages and disadvantages. Approach Briefly explain delegated legislation in the introduction. Discuss the positives of such legislation. Then give its disadvantages. Conclude with some suggestions. Model Answer : When law making power is delegated to executive by legislation, then it is known as delegated legislation or sub-ordinate legislation. In this case,
Read moreHeadline : U.S. ends waiver for India on Iran oil Details : The News Recently, the United States has decided not to issue any additional Significant Reduction Exceptions (SREs) to existing importers of Iranian oil. Background Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was signed between Iran and the P5, plus Germany and the EU in 2015, which aimed at curbing
Read moreIs the High Court’s power to issue writs wider than that of the Supreme Court of India? Examine. (10 marks) Approach: Introduce with the power of courts to issue writs under Article 32 and 226 Compare the writ jurisdictions of SC and HCs – wider jurisdiction of HC in some aspects and SC writ jurisdiction wider in other aspects Conclude
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