Peace Agent in the Security Council Editorial 28th Jul’21 TimesOfIndia India at UNSC at a critical time: On January 1, 2021, India once again returned to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as non-permanent member for two years. Its entry couldn’t have happened at a more critical time. India’s valuable contributions at UNSC Conflicts have only increased during the pandemic,
Read moreEU’s New ‘Vaccine Passport’ Programme.Q. What is this news? Covishield, manufactured by Serum Institute of India, is not among the vaccines which have been approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for its “vaccine passport” programme that allows free movement of people in and out of Europe. Kindle eBooks: Shop for kindle eBooks online at best prices in India at Amazon.in. Get Free 1 or
Read moreAbout: OPEC The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries is an intergovernmental organization of 13 nations (as of February 2021), founded in 1960 in Baghdad by the first five members (Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and Venezuela), and headquartered since 1965 in Vienna, Austria. The current OPEC members are Algeria, Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, the Republic of
Read moreWorld 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 moreAbout: G-7 G-7 or ‘Group of Seven’ is the group of the largest advanced economies of the world comprising of the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK), France, Germany, Italy, Canada and Japan. It is the only forum where the world’s most influential and democratic, open societies and advanced economies gather for discussions. G-7 has its origins in an intergovernmental organisation that
Read moreHeadline : What is the Chagos Islands dispute about? Details : The News: Mauritius has called the UK an “illegal colonial occupier” after it ignored a UN mandated deadline to return the Chagos Islands. Chagos is a small archipelago (group of islands) in the Indian Ocean. About: Chagos Islands The Chagos Islands are a group of seven atolls comprising more than
Read moreHeadline : FATF group ‘blacklists’ Pakistan Details :In News: In a huge victory for India, the Asia-Pacific Group on Money Laundering and Terror Financing (APG) has put Pakistan in the Enhanced Expedited Follow Up List (Blacklist) for its failure to meet its standards. The APG is one of nine regional affiliates of the FATF. Telegram: https://t.me/ShubhraRanjanPSIR Background: In June 2018, Financial
Read moreHeadline : Can Pakistan get the ICJ to undo India’s decision on J&K’s special status? Details : In News: Pakistan has decided to approach the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over the recent revocation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status by India. Telegram: https://t.me/ShubhraRanjanPSIR Theme of the topic: The topic analysis the ICJ’s Jurisdiction over the Jammu and Kashmir case About/; International Court of
Read moreHeadline : Explained: Sikkim, from Chogyal rule to Indian state Details : In News: Recently, Sikkim’s longest serving Chief Minister, Pawan Chamling, became the sole elected Opposition representative in the Assembly after the remaining 12 Sikkim Democratic Front (SDF) MLAs defected, with 10 joining the BJP and another two joining the ruling Sikkim Krantikari Morcha (SKM). Telegram: https://t.me/ShubhraRanjanPSIR http://www.UpscExpress.com Context of
Read moreHeadline : India protests over UN chief’s report Details : In News: The United Nation has recently released its Annual report of the Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict. India is disappointed with the UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for including in the report situations in India that are neither armed conflicts nor a threat to international security. About Annual report of
Read moreHeadline : US ends Cold War nuke treaty with aim of countering China Details : In News: The USA has withdrawn from the landmark Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) signed in 1987. About INF Treaty The missile crisis of 1970s and 80s represented the high-point of cold war, with both USA (and its NATO allies) on one side and USSR on the other, building
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 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 : 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 moreApproach: Introduce the issue of Naga insurgency. Explain its impact on security of India as well as that in northeastern states. Provide measures undertaken by Government especially Naga peace accord. Conclude appropriately. Model Answer : Ever since Indian Independence, the Naga Insurgency has taken many forms, including the demands for secessionism to wanton violence. The Naga Insurgency at present is
Read moreApproach: Introduce with Hybrid conflict Talk about how Pakistan indulges in regular and hybrid wars against India and India’s response Discuss why India needs to engage in hybrid war and what it involves Conclude appropriately Model Answer : Hybrid war is one fought through a combination of conventional, irregular (efforts to win legitimacy and influence over the populations), and asymmetric
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It is a regional organization comprising seven Member States lying in the littoral and adjacent areas of the Bay of Bengal constituting a contiguous regional unity. This sub-regional organization came into being on 6 June 1997 through the Bangkok Declaration. The regional group constitutes a bridge between South and South East Asia and represents a reinforcement of relations among these countries.
Read moreEast Asia Summit is a unique Leaders-led forum of 18 countries of the Asia-Pacific region formed to further the objectives of regional peace, security and prosperity. It has evolved as a forum for strategic dialogue and cooperation on political, security and economic issues of common regional concern and plays an important role in the regional architecture. Established in 2005, EAS
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G20 was initiated in 1999 and consists of Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Republic of Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union (EU). Before the outbreak of global financial crisis in 2008, G20 meetings of Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors were held
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The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is a regional development bank established on 19 December 1966. which is headquartered in Ortigas Center located in Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, Philippines, and maintains. It promote social and economic development in Asia. The bank admits the members of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP, formerly the Economic Commission
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It is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations system responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the globe and for addressing situations of human rights violations and make recommendations on them. It meets at the UN Office at Geneva. The Council is made up of 47 United Nations Member States which are elected by the
Read moreGeneral Studies Paper – II (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice and International relations) a. Constitution and Polity Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure. Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein. Separation of powers
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