Syllabus

• Prelims –Environment and Ecology

Context: Recent studies point out that transboundary conservation is essential to save the endangered Red Pandas.

About Red Pandas:-

IMAGE SOURCE: High camp: India’s untrodden Himalayas | India holidays | The Guardian

• Red Pandas usually live in chilly, cold, mountainous mixed deciduous and coniferous forests of the eastern Himalayas. (UPSC MAINS: Re-wilding programme of red pandas)
• Habitat: In the eastern part of the Himalayas, this type of suitable habitat is available only in the Singalila and Neora Valley national parks in the Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts of West Bengal.
• Red Panda belongs to the order Carnivora as per the taxonomic classification, but they have adapted to a vegetarian diet.
• There are only two different panda species in the world, the Giant Pandas and the Red Pandas. (UPSC PRELIMS: Red Panda species in India)

Conservation Status:-

• Red Pandas
  • IUCN Red List: Endangered
  • CITES: Appendix I
  • Wildlife Protection Act 1972: Schedule I
• Giant Pandas
  • IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
  • CITES: Appendix I
• India is home to both the (sub) species:
  • Himalayan red panda (Ailurus fulgens)
    • They are present in Sikkim, Darjeeling-Kalimpong districts of West Bengal, Nepal, Bhutan and Southern Tibet.
  • Chinese red panda (Ailurus styani)
    • They are distributed in southeastern Tibet, Northern Myanmar and the Sichuan and Yunan provinces of China.
    • The zygomatic (cheekbone) breadth and skull size of the Chinese Red Panda are larger than the Himalayan Red Panda.
    • The facial colour of the Chinese Red Panda is redder than the Himalayan Red Panda.
    •  In the Chinese Red Panda, tail rings are more prominent, with dark rings being darker red and the pale rings being whitish than the Himalayan Red Panda.

Singalila National Park:-

• Singalila National Park is located on the Singalila Ridge at an altitude of more than 7000 feet above sea level, in the Darjeeling district of West Bengal.
• It is well known for the trekking route to Sandakphu that runs through it.
• The Singalila area in Darjeeling was purchased by the British Government from Sikkim Durbar in 1882.
• It was notified as a Reserve Forest under the Indian Forest Act of 1878.
• It was notified as a National Park in 1992 and was also officially opened up for tourism.

Neora Valley National Park:- 

• It is situated in the Kalimpong District of West Bengal.
• One of the richest biological zones in entire Eastern India
• Neora Valley National Park is the Natural Habitat of Red panda
• It borders Sikkim and Bhutan.
• Flora: rhododendron, bamboo, oak, ferns, sal, etc.
• Fauna: Indian leopard, Red panda, Sloth bear, Asiatic golden cat, goral, sambar deer etc.

MUST READ: Kanchenjunga Biosphere

SOURCE: DOWN TO EARTH

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Which of the following is not a bird? (2022)

1. Golden Mahseer
2. Indian Nightjar
3. Spoonbill
4. White Ibis

Q.2) With reference to Indian laws about wildlife protection, consider the following statements : (2022)

1. Wild animals are the sole property of the government.
2. When a wild animal is declared protected, such animal is entitled to equal protection whether it is found in protected areas or outside.
3. Apprehension of a protected wild animal becoming a danger to human life is sufficient ground for its capture or killing.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 and 2
2. 2 only
3. 1 and 3
4. 3 only

Syllabus

• Prelims –Science and Technology

Context: Recently, the Indian Patent Office rejected Johnson & Johnson’s claim for a secondary patent on its tuberculosis drug bedaquiline.

About Bedaquiline:-

IMAGE SOURCE: Tuberculosis Control & Prevention Program | Florida Department of Health in Escambia (floridahealth.gov)

• Bedaquiline is an oral medication used to treat active tuberculosis. (UPSC PRELIMS: Tuberculosis )
•  It is particularly used to treat multi-drug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB).
• It has a unique mechanism of action.
  • It targets the adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthase enzyme of the TB mycobacteria.
• Bedaquiline is central to WHO ­recommended TB treatment regimens (UPSC PRELIMS: WHO and its funding)
  • Johnson and Johnson holds the patent for it.

• India is also the country with the second highest number (after South Africa) of estimated HIV-associated TB cases. (UPSC CSE: 2021 Global TB report: WHO )

MUST READ: India’s TB Elimination Programme

SOURCE: DOWN TO EARTH

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) In the context of vaccines manufactured to prevent the COVID-19 pandemic, consider the following statements: (2022)

1. The Serum Institute of India produced a COVID-19 vaccine named Covishield using an mRNA platform.
2. Sputnik V vaccine is manufactured using a vector-based platform.
3. COVAXIN is an inactivated pathogen-based vaccine.

Which of the statements given above is correct?

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Q.2) Which one of the following statements best describes the role of B cells and T cells in the human body? (2022)

1. They protect the environmental allergens. body
2. They alleviate the body’s pain and inflammation.
3. They act as immunosuppressants in the body.
4. They protect the body from diseases caused by pathogens.

Syllabus

• Prelims –Environment and Ecology

Context: Recently, a rare melanistic tiger was found dead in the core area of Similipal Tiger Reserve.

About Similipal Tiger Reserve:-

IMAGE SOURCE: Map of Similipal Tiger Reserve.  | Download Scientific Diagram (researchgate.net)

• Similipal derives its name from the ‘Simul’ (silk cotton) tree.
• It was formally designated a tiger reserve in 1956. (UPSC CSE: Global Conservation Assured|Tiger Standards (CA|TS))
• It was brought under Project Tiger in the year 1973. (UPSC PRELIMS: Saving the Tiger)
• It was declared a biosphere reserve by the Government of India in June 1994.
• It has been part of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves since 2009.
• It is part of the Similipal-Kuldiha-Hadgarh Elephant Reserve popularly known as Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve, which includes 3 protected areas i.e. Similipal Tiger Reserve, Hadagarh Wildlife Sanctuary and Kuldiha wildlife sanctuary. (UPSC MAINS: Similipal National Park )

MUST READ: Simlipal Forest Fires

SOURCE: THE HINDU

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Which of the following Protected Areas are located in the Cauvery basin? (2020)

1. Nagarhole National Park
2. Papikonda National Park
3. Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve
4. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 3 and 4 only
3. 1, 3 and 4 only
4. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q.2) Which of the following are the most likely places to find the musk deer in its natural habitat? (2020)

1. Askot Wildlife Sanctuary
2. Gangotri National Park
3. Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary
4. Manas National Park

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 3 and 4 only
4. 1 and 4 only

Syllabus

• Prelims –Defence

Context: Recently, Indian Naval Ships arrived in Singapore to participate in the Inaugural ASEAN India Maritime Exercise (AIME-2023).

About ASEAN India Maritime Exercise (AIME-2023):-

IMAGE SOURCE: AEC Blog: Common ASEAN Driving License vs. Mutual Recognition of Driving Licenses (aseanec.blogspot.com)

• ASEAN India Maritime Exercise (AIME-2023) will inaugurate in Singapore.
• Objective: to strengthen cooperation and coordination between the Indian Navy and ASEAN navies in the maritime domain. (UPSC PRELIMS: India-ASEAN relations )
• The Harbour Phase of the exercise is scheduled to be held at Changi Naval Base from 02 to 04 May 2023.
  • During this phase, participating nations will engage in various professional and cultural exchanges.
• The Sea Phase will be conducted from 07 to 08 May 2023 in the South China Sea. (UPSC PRELIMS: Taiwan Strait, Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea)
  • This phase will include a wide range of naval exercises such as surface warfare exercises, anti-submarine warfare exercises, and air defence exercises.

• INS Delhi and INS Satpura are a part of the Indian Navy’s Eastern Fleet based at Visakhapatnam.

• • INS Delhi is India’s first indigenously-built guided missile destroyer, and
  • INS Satpura is an indigenously-built guided missile stealth frigate.
  • The ships, will also participate in International Maritime Defence Exhibition (IMDEX-23) and International Maritime Security Conference (IMSC) being hosted by Singapore.

MUST READ: Indian Ocean Naval Symposium

SOURCE: PIB

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Consider the following countries : (2018)

1. Australia
2. Canada
3. China
4. India
5. Japan
6. USA

Which of the above are among the ‘free-trade partners’ of ASEAN?

1. 1, 2, 4 and 5
2. 3, 4, 5 and 6
3. 1, 3, 4 and 5
4. 2, 3, 4 and 6

Q.2) Consider the following in respect of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS): (2017)

1. Inaugural IONS was held in India in 2015 under the chairmanship of the Indian Navy.
2. IONS is a voluntary initiative that seeks to increase maritime cooperation among navies of the littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

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

Syllabus

• Prelims –Governance

Context: Recently, the Prime Minister praises National SC-ST Hub Scheme for crossing over 1 lakh beneficiary registrations.

About National SC-ST Hub Scheme:-

IMAGE SOURCE: National SC-ST Hub Scheme – Bing images

• The National SC-ST Hub (NSSH) is under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. (UPSC CSE: Empowering MSMEs digitally)
• It has been set up to provide professional support to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Entrepreneurs to fulfil the obligations under the Central Government Public Procurement Policy for Micro and Small Enterprises Order 2012, adopt applicable business practices and leverage the Stand-Up India initiative. (UPSC PRELIMS: Launch of Stand Up India Scheme)
• The key action areas of NSSH include vendor development, participation in public procurement, building a reliable database, mentoring and handholding support, policy advocacy with states, credit facilitation, capacity building, private affirmative action, technology upgradation, marketing support, and special subsidies under various schemes.
• The NSSH works on the mentioned priority areas through various sub-schemes which are as follows:
  • Special Credit Linked Capital Subsidy Scheme
  • Special Marketing Assistance Scheme
  • Single Point Registration Scheme
  • Bank Loan Processing Reimbursement Scheme
  • Bank Guarantee Charges Reimbursement Scheme
  • Testing Fee Reimbursement Scheme
  • Export Promotion Council Membership Reimbursement Scheme
  • Top 50 NIRF Rated Management Institution’s Short-Term Training Program Fee Reimbursement Scheme

Key Benefits of the Scheme:-

• To achieve the 4% Public Procurement target from SC-ST entrepreneurs
• Facilitating SC/ST Entrepreneurs to be part of vendor development programs and mentoring support. (UPSC CSE: National Commission for SCs – Needs to be reimagined)
• Collection, collation and dissemination of information regarding SC/ST enterprises and entrepreneurs
• Distribution of trade-specific tool kits to trained candidates

Eligibility:-

• Existing and Aspiring SC/ST Entrepreneurs

MUST READ: SAMARTH initiative for women

SOURCE: NEWSONAIR

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) Consider the following statements about Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India: (2019)

1. PVTGs reside in 18 States and one Union Territory.
2. A stagnant or declining population is one of the criteria for determining PVTG status.
3. There are 95 PVTGs officially notified in the country so far.
4. Irular and Konda Reddi tribes are included in the list of PVTGs.

Which of the statements given above is correct?

1. 1, 2 and 3
2. 2, 3 and 4
3. 1, 2 and 4
4. 1, 3 and 4

Q.2) With reference to the ‘stand up India scheme’, which of the following statement is/are correct? (2016)

1. Its purpose is to promote entrepreneurship among SC/ST and women entrepreneurs.
2. It provides for refinancing through SIDBI.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

Syllabus

• Prelims –Polity

Context: Recently, the Meitei community members declared their intention to file contempt proceedings against the Hill Areas Committee (HAC) of the Manipur Legislative Assembly.

About the Meitei community:-

• Meitei community is the dominant population of Manipur in northeastern India. (UPSC PRELIMS: Manipur Insurgency )
• They are predominantly Vaishnavite Hindus.
• They are divided into clans, the members of which do not intermarry.
• An interesting aspect of the village socio-economic organization in Meitei society is the Marup system (literally means friendship association), a type of cooperative saving and credit institution.
• They speak a Tibeto-Burman language.
• They differ culturally from the surrounding hill tribes due to following Hindu customs.

Hill Areas Committee (HAC) of the Manipur Legislative Assembly:-

• The HAC was set up through a 1972 order.
• It comprises legislators of all constituencies that fall partly or wholly within the State’s hilly areas.
• The tribal hill districts of Manipur enjoy special protections under Article 371C of the Constitution, which says that all laws affecting the districts must be vetted by the hill areas committee of the Manipur Legislative Assembly. (UPSC PRELIMS: Manipur’s NRC exercise)

MUST READ: Kuki Insurgency in Manipur

SOURCE: THE HINDU

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) If a particular area is brought under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of India, which one of the following statements best reflects the consequence of it? (2022)

1. This would prevent the transfer of land from tribal people to non-tribal people.
2. This would create a local self-governing body in that area.
3. This would convert that area into a Union Territory.
4. The State having such areas would be declared a Special Category State.

Q.2) At the national level, which ministry is the nodal agency to ensure effective implementation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006? (2021)

1. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climatic Change.
2. Ministry of Panchayat Raj
3. Ministry of Rural Development
4. Ministry of Tribal Affairs

Syllabus

• Prelims –Environment and Ecology

Context: Recently, close to 4,000 painted storks were found nesting in two Andhra Pradesh villages.

About Painted Storks:-

• The painted stork (Mycteria leucocephala ) is a large wader in the stork family.
•  It is found in the wetlands of the plains of tropical Asia, south of the Himalayas, in the Indian Subcontinent and extending into Southeast Asia.
• Their distinctive pink tertial feathers of the adults give them their name.
• They forage in flocks in shallow waters along rivers or lakes.
• They are not migratory and only make short-distance movements in some parts of their range in response to changes in weather or food availability or for breeding. (UPSC PRELIMS: Conservation of Migratory Species)

Distribution:-

• Painted storks are widely distributed over the plains of Asia.
• They are found south of the Himalayan ranges and are bounded on the west by the Indus River system where they are rare and extend eastwards into Southeast Asia.
• Painted storks are absent from very dry or desert regions, dense forests, and higher hill regions.
• They prefer freshwater wetlands in all seasons but also use irrigation canals and crop fields, particularly flooded rice fields during the monsoon. (UPSC PRELIMS: COP14 of Ramsar Convention on Wetlands)        

Conservation Status:-

• IUCN Red List: Near Threatened
• Wildlife Protection Act: Schedule-IV

MUST READ: Spot-Billed Pelicans

SOURCE: THE HINDU

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) In which one of the following states is Pakhui wildlife sanctuary located? (2018)

1. Arunachal Pradesh
2. Manipur
3. Meghalaya
4. Nagaland

Q.2) Due to some reasons if there is a huge fall in the population of a species of butterflies, what could be its likely consequence/consequences? (2017)

1. Pollination of some plants could be adversely affected
2. There could be a drastic increase in the fungal infection of some cultivated plants
3. It could lead to a fall in the population of some species of wasps, spiders and birds

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. 1 only
2. 2 and 3 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Syllabus

• Prelims –Economy

Context: Recently, the World Bank released the Business Ready (B-READY) rankings.

About Business Ready (B-READY) rankings:-

• The World Bank Group is implementing a new corporate flagship, Business Ready (B-READY).
• Objective:  to assess the business and investment environment worldwide annually.
• In September 2021, the World Bank Group (WBG) Senior Management decided to discontinue the Doing Business (DB) report and data and announced a new approach for assessing the business and investment climate. (UPSC CSE: World Bank Stops ‘Ease of Doing Business Report)
• B-READY improves upon and replaces Doing Business. (UPSC MAINS: Criticism of WB’s Ease of Doing Business Report)
• The new approach is informed by advice from experts in the WBG and recommendations from qualified academics and practitioners outside the institution, including the External Panel Review on DB methodology.
• The new benchmarking exercise is being developed in the Development Economics (DEC) Global Indicators Group (DECIG).
  • This Group will design, pilot, and implement the new benchmarking exercise.
  • It will be under the guidance of the WBG Chief Economist and DEC Senior Vice President.
• The data collection and reporting process will be governed by the highest possible standards, including sound data gathering

The key features of the new project are as follows:-

• Working Title. The working title of the new project is Business Enabling Environment, with the acronym ‘BEE’.
• The title will be refined after due consideration for branding impact.
• The objective of this benchmarking exercise is to provide a quantitative assessment of the business environment for private sector development.
• Scope: BEE will assess the economy’s business environment by focusing on the regulatory framework and the provision of related public services for firms and markets, as well as the efficiency with which they are combined in practice.

MUST READ:  India and World Bank

SOURCE: WORLD BANK

PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTIONS

Q.1) “Rapid Financing Instrument” and “Rapid Credit Facility” are related to the provisions of lending by which of the following: (2022)

1. Asian Development Bank
2. International Monetary Fund
3. United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative
4. World Bank

Q.2) With reference to Trade-Related Investment Measures (TRIMS), which of the following statements is/are correct? (2020)

1. Quantitative restrictions on imports by foreign investors are prohibited.
2. They apply to investment measures related to trade in both goods and services.
3. They are not concerned with the regulation of foreign investment.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1. 1 and 2 only
2. 2 only
3. 1 and 3 only
4. 1, 2 and 3

Syllabus

• Mains – GS 2 (Governance) and GS 3 (Environment)

Context: Delhi Chief Minister announced a 14-point action plan to reduce air pollution during the summer months with a focus on controlling dust pollution.

Highlights of the action plan:

• The Delhi government will conduct a real-time apportionment study of 13 identified hotspots to find sources of pollution and solutions to curb them.
• People will have to register to carry out construction work on land measuring more than 500 square meters.
• The government will increase green cover by planting 59 lakh saplings.
• Urban farming will also be increased and 400 workshops will be conducted and free training kits will be given to people.
• The government is preparing a new policy to deal with industrial waste management and techniques to collect and scientifically dispose of industrial waste to curb industrial pollution.

About Air Pollution:

• Air pollution refers to the release of pollutants into the air that is detrimental to human health and the planet as a whole.

Source of Air Pollution

• Nitrogen dioxide: It is one of the major pollutants and major sources of NOx include emissions from motor vehicle exhaust, industrial facilities, and chemical solvents.
• Agriculture & Allied Sources: Ammonia (NH3) -It is another gaseous pollutant that is monitored.
  • It occurs naturally in air, soil and water, and is used as an agricultural fertiliser and in cleaning products.
  • Short-term inhalation of high levels of ammonia can cause irritation and serious burns in the mouth, lungs and eyes.
• Stubble burning: It is also one of the major sources of air pollution in northern India, especially in winters.
• Sulphur dioxide (SO2): They emitted from the combustion of fossil fuels have, historically, been the main component of air pollution in many parts of the world.
  • The largest source of SO2 in the atmosphere is burning fossil fuels by power plants and other industrial facilities.
  • Short-term exposure to SO2 can harm the respiratory system, making breathing more difficult.
• Particulate Matter: Particulate matter (PM) are inhalable and respirable particles composed of sulphate, nitrates, ammonia, sodium chloride, black carbon, mineral dust and water.
  • Both PM2.5 and PM10 are capable of penetrating deep into the lungs but PM2.5 can even enter the bloodstream, primarily resulting in cardiovascular and respiratory impacts, and also affecting other organs.
  • In 2013, outdoor air pollution and particulate matter were classified as carcinogenic by WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
• Carbon monoxide (CO): It is a toxic, colourless and odourless gas, given off when fuel containing carbon, such as wood, coal and petrol, are burned.
  • Major sources of methane include waste and fossil fuel and agricultural industry.
• Ozone (O3): It occurs both in the Earth’s upper atmosphere and at ground level. At the ground, O3 is created by the chemical reaction between oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and volatile organic compounds.
  • It is formed when pollutants emitted by cars, power plants, refineries and other sources chemically react in presence of sunlight.
  • It can trigger a variety of health problems, including chest pain, throat irritation and airway inflammation.

Associated risks

• Air pollution is a threat to health in all countries, but it hits people in low- and middle-income countries the hardest.
• Every year, exposure to air pollution is estimated to cause 7 million premature deaths and result in the loss of millions more healthy years of life.
• In children, this could include reduced lung growth and function, respiratory infections and aggravated asthma.
• In adults, ischaemic heart disease and stroke are the most common causes of premature death attributable to outdoor air pollution, and evidence is also emerging of other effects such as diabetes and neurodegenerative conditions.
• This puts the burden of disease attributable to air pollution on a par with other major global health risks such as unhealthy diet and tobacco smoking.
• There is a body of scientific evidence to prove that air pollution is leading to severe health impacts and 90% of the entire global population is breathing polluted air.

Steps taken by the government:

• Graded Response Action Plan ( GRAP ) is a set of emergency measures that kick in to take required steps such as banning construction activities, implementing an odd-even scheme etc.
• Based on an initiative by the supreme court, legislation has been brought in to form the Commission for Air Quality Management to implement measures like GRAP and ensure inter-state coordination with a vast range of powers.
• National Clean Air Program(NCAP) to reduce pollution in non-attainment cities by 2024 compared to 2017 levels.
• Efforts to distribute turbo happy Seeder machines, expanding area under bio decomposers for in situ stubble management
• Development of safe fewer polluting crackers such as STAR ( safe thermite cracker ) and SWAS( Safe water releaser) by the Council of scientific and industrial research.

Way Forward:

The air does not belong to any one State therefore all have to work in close coordination with neighbouring States to curb air pollution. Policies to reduce air pollution offer a win-win strategy for both climate and health, lowering the burden of disease attributable to air pollution, as well as contributing to the near- and long-term mitigation of climate change.

The WHO also prescribed some steps to be taken by governments to improve the air quality and health. It urged countries to implement national air quality standards in line with the WHO’s guidelines, usage of clean household energy, and implementation of stricter vehicle emissions and efficiency standards among other measures.

Source:   Indian Express

Q.1) Consider the following pairs:

National park and State

1. Kanchenjunga NP – Assam
2. Neora Valley NP – Uttarakhand
3. Singalila NP – West Bengal

How many of the above is/are correctly matched?

1. None
2. One pair only
3. Two pairs only
4. All three pairs

Q.2) It derives its name from the ‘Simul’ (silk cotton) tree. It was formally designated a tiger reserve in 1956. It was declared a biosphere reserve by the Government of India in June 1994. It has been part of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves since 2009. It is part of the Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve.

Which of the following Tiger Reserve (TR) described above?

1. Satkosia TR
2. Simlipal TR
3. Sathyamangalam TR
4. Kanha TR

Q.3) Consider the following statements regarding the National SC-ST Hub Scheme:

1. The National SC-ST Hub (NSSH) is under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
2. It has been set up to provide professional support to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Entrepreneurs.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 only
2. 2 only
3. Both 1 and 2
4. Neither 1 nor2

Comment the answers to the above questions in the comment section below!!

ANSWERS FOR ’ 3rd May 2023 – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs.st

Q.1) – b

Q.2) – c

Q.3) – b