IAS UPSC Prelims and Mains Exam – 27th January 2020

Archives

(PRELIMS + MAINS FOCUS)

 Anti-satellite weapons (ASAT) – Showcased during Republic Day Parade

Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III- Science & Technology; Security

In News

• It is missile-based system to attack moving satellites.
• India had tested the Anti-Satellite System(A-SAT) from Dr A P J Abdul Kalam Island, formerly known as Wheeler Island, an island off the coast of Odisha in March 2019. The test was named as Mission Shakti.
• With such capabilities India is now in the league of three countries after the U.S., Russia, and China to have such technology

Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI)

Part of: GS Prelims and GS-I- Culture, Society

In News

• As part of the commemoration of Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary, AnSI has dedicated an entire issue of its journal on what it calls “Gandhian insights into applied anthropology”
• AnSI was formed in 1945 with its HQ at Kolkata
• Parent Ministry: Ministry of Culture

Global Talent Competitiveness INDEX (GTCI)

Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III- Economy 

In News

• GTCI compiled by INSEAD in collaboration with human resource firm Addeco and Google
• India has climbed eight places to 72nd rank in the 2020 GTCI which was topped by Switzerland, the US and Singapore.
• Report also noted that the gap between high income, talent-rich nations and the rest of the world is widening

Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA)

Part of: GS Prelims and GS-II- Polity, GS-I- Society

In News

• CARA is a statutory autonomous body of Ministry of Women & Child Development.
• It is the nodal body for adoption of Indian children and is mandated to monitor and regulate in-country and inter-country adoptions.

• CARA is designated as the Central Authority to deal with inter-country adoptions in accordance with the provisions of the Hague Convention on Inter-country Adoption, 1993, ratified by Government of India in 2003.

Merchanting Trade Transactions (MTT) – Guidelines Revised 

Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III- Economy

In News

• Merchanting transaction is one which involves shipment of goods from one foreign country to another foreign country involving an Indian Intermediary. Hence, it is also called Intermediary Trade.
• According to revised guidelines, for a trade to be classified as merchanting trade, goods acquired shall not enter the Domestic Tariff Area. Also, the entire MTT shall be completed within an overall period of nine months.
• Revised guidelines were issued by RBI under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA), 1999. 

Kolkata Port Tableau in Republic Day

Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III- Infrastructure, Economy

In News

• 2020 is the 150th year of Kolkata Port Trust, Ministry of Shipping.

• It was recently renamed as Syama Prasad Mukherjee Port by the Prime Minister.
• For the first time, a port is featured in the Republic Day tableau 
• Type of Harbour : Coastal Breakwater, River Natural, Medium Seaport
•  Major exports are Iron ore, leather, cotton textiles and major imports are Wheat, Raw Cotton, Machinery, Iron & steel

Oslo Accord

Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III- International Affairs

In News

• Palestine has threatened to withdraw from key provisions of the Oslo Accords if the US announces its Middle East Peace Plan.
• Oslo Accords are a series of agreements between Israel and the Palestinians signed in the 1990s.
• Oslo I (1993)  formally known as the Declaration of Principles (DOP) established a timetable for the Middle East peace process. It planned for an interim Palestinian government in Gaza and Jericho in the West Bank.
• Oslo II  officially called the Israeli-Palestinian Interim Agreement on the West Bank and Gaza (1995), expanded on Oslo I. It included
  • Provisions for the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from six West Bank cities and about 450 towns.
  • Timetable for elections for the Palestinian Legislative Council.
• The interim pact was only supposed to last five years while a permanent agreement was finalised but it has tacitly been rolled over for more than two decades.
• The question of Jerusalem was left undecided under the Oslo Accords

(MAINS FOCUS)

International Affairs

Topic: General Studies 3:

• Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. 

• Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests

India-Brazil relationship 

Context

Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is on a visit to India and also as chief guest for 2020 Republic Day.

Introduction

India and Brazil established diplomatic relations between India and Brazil in 1948. The long bilateral strategic partnership is based on a common global vision, shared democratic values, and a commitment to foster economic growth with social inclusion for the welfare of the people of both countries.

Brazil and India formally declared each other ‘strategic partners’ way back in 2006.

Convergence of Interests

• Both India &Brazil have historically been leaders of the Global South
• Brasilia and New Delhi jointly pursued aspirations of permanent seats in the UN Security Council

• Both aspire for a multipolar world where large developing countries can frame global rules and democratise international institutions.
• Innovative coalitions like IBSA & BRICS were not just for practical economic gain but as part of a transformative movement to multilaterally reorder the world.

Is there a shift in Brazil’s Foreign Policy in recent times (particularly after Bolsonaro)?

1. Political Worldview

• Since 1990s, Leftist Brazilian Presidents – Fernando Cardoso and Lula da Silva – had made India the pillar of Brazil’s foreign policy within the context of South-South cooperation and opposition to a Western-dominated world order.
• However, Far-right Bolsonaro unexpectedly stormed to power in October 2018 following a prolonged economic slump and governance collapse.
• Ideologically, Bolsonaro’s faction feel closer to the Global North than to the Global South.
• This has made Brazil move closer to USA often at the cost of Global South-South cooperation.
• For Example: Bolsonaro agreed to abandon Brazil’s designation as a ‘developing country’ and is wooing USA so as to join OECD 

2. Trade

• Bilateral trade between India and Brazil is $8.2 billion in 2018-19. It comprised $3.8 billion of Indian exports to Brazil and $4.4 million as imports by India
• Meanwhile, Brazil’s trade with China is over $110 billion in 2018-19. 
• This indicates growing dependence of Brazil’s economy on China thus giving diplomatic advantage to china to pursue its interests often at the cost of Indian interests.

3. Climate Change

• India has been at the forefront with regard to taking actions so as to tackle Climate Change Ex: International Solar Alliance and ambitious targets under Paris Climate Deal
• Bolsonaro has been sceptical about the Climate Change and has enacted policies that prioritize development at the cost of environmental degradation. Ex: The controversy over Amazon Forest Fires

 Does that mean Brazil and India are on path of divergence? – Not Necessarily

• Trade protectionism offers negligible market access to Brazilian exports, Bolsonaro has no option but to look to Asia for more preferential trade agreements.
• Brazil is well placed to be an alternative hydrocarbon source for India’s energy security, especially when there is political tensions in neighbouring Venezuela (one of India’s major oil import source)
• India is often seen by Brazil as a softer benign power for reducing overdependence on China.

Key MoUs/Agreements exchanged during the Visit:

• MoU for establishing a nodal institution in India to carry out research on Bioenergy.
• Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters.
• MoU on cooperation in the field of Traditional Systems of Medicine and Homeopathy.
• Cultural Exchange Programme for the period 2020-2024.
• MoU between Invest India and the Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency. 

Connecting the Dots:

• Non-Alignment Policy – Does India still pursue it
• India and overall Latin America relations

(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) Consider the following statements about Child Adoption Resource Authority (CARA)

1. It is a statutory body under Ministry of Home Affairs
2. CARA primarily deals with the adoption of the orphan, abandoned and surrendered children through its associated /recognised adoption agencies.

Which of the above statement(s) given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Q.2) Consider the following statements about Global Talent Competitiveness Index (GTCI)

1. It is released annually by World Bank in collaboration with International Labour Organisation 
2. India has climbed eight places to 72nd rank in the 2020 report of GTCI

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Q.3) Consider the following statements about Anthropological Survey of India (AnSI)

1. It is a premier research institute in India for anthropological research in bio-cultural studies. 
2. It works under the overall control & guidance of Ministry of Human Resource Development

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

Q.4) Oslo Accords often seen in the news is related to which region/countries? 

1. North Korea-South Korea
2. Israel-Palestine
3. India-Pakistan
4. None of the above

Q.5) Consider the following statements about ASAT Weapons recently in news

1. It is missile-based system to attack moving satellites.
2. With such capabilities India is now in the league of three countries after the U.S., Russia, and China to have such technology

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor 2

ANSWERS FOR 25 JAN 2020 TEST YOUR KNOWLEDGE (TYK)

MUST READ

About Hypersonic Systems:

The Hindu

About Constitutionalism :

The Hindu

At the Heart of Republic:

The Hindu