November Month UPSC magazine in English Free PDF

Index:
Topper’s Talk
International Relations
1) USA Grants Waiver on Iran’s Oil
2) China Pakistan Bus Service
3) East Asia and ASEAN Summit 2018
4) Bhutan Elections – India Relations
5) India – Kosovo Controversy
6) Asia Bibi Case of Pakistan
7) Soft State – Sobriquet for India
8) USA Birthright Citizenship Issue
9) World’s First Blue Bond
10) Brexit Deal and Implications
11) U.K. – Spain Gibraltar Issue
12) The Moscow Format
13) FCTC Framework on Tobacco
Science and Technology
1) HysIS Satellite
2) ISRO and NASA Balck Hole
3) INS Arihant –Nuclear Triad
4) Martian Moon Phobos
5) Antioxidants and Body
6) Kepler Space Telescope
7) ISRO GSAT – 29 Satellite
Polity
1) About the CBI Reforms
2) CBI vs States
3) Private Member Bill
4) Maharashtra Electoral Reforms
5) Kartarpur Corridor
Governance and Social Issues
1) Gurjarat Migrant Exodus
2) Internal Migration in India
3) Economic Conditions of Muslim
4) Polio & Its Eradication
5) Cholera Outbreak in Nigeria
6) Combat Anti-Ageing
7) Pneumonia-Diarrhea Progress Report
8) Maratha Reservation
9) Allied & Healthcare Profession Bill
Economy
1) Ease of Doing Business-India
2) Service Sector Boom India &
Plights
3) Inland Waterways in India
4) Unsecured Loans in Banking
Sector
5) RBI, Govt. wants 3.6 Lakh Crore
6) Section 7 of the RBI Act
7) Rising Prices of Pulse
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8) Misuse of Kisan Credit Card
9) Rupay vs Mastercard Issue
10) 12 MSME Initiatives
11) ATM’s May Close Down
Geography and Environment:
1) Koalas Face extinction in Australia
2) Living Planet Report 2018 by
WWF
3) Glacial Lake Outburst Flood
4) Maharashtra Drought 2018
5) Australia Drought Impact
6) Rapid Ocean Warming
7) India’s Wildlife Crime Control
8) Ozone Layer Recovery
9) Stubble Burning in India
10) Green Crackers
11) Link between Life on Earth & its
movement of continents
12) Earth’s Interior Is Dragging its
Underground Water
13) Rise in Typhoons’ Frequency
14) Flamingoes Visit Hope Island
15) North Sentinel Island India
Spice of the Month
1) Definition of the Month
2) Examples of the Month
A. Polity
B. Society Human Development
C. Economy
D. IR, Defense & Security
E. Geography, Environment
F. Science & Technology
G. Ethics
H. Data of the Month
I. Quotes of the Month
Prelims Capsules
Mains Practice Questions
Solutions to the Prelims
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1
TOPPER’S TALK
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations from the Study IQ Team for your exceptional achievement. We are ecstatic that your
efforts have been rewarded in a grand way.
• Let us kick start by asking when did you
decide to prepare for India's toughest exam?
While I was working with Samsung Research India
in 2015, I felt the urge of joining Civil Services. It
was then that I decided to prepare for the same.
• Was it your childhood fascination and dream
to be an officer?
It was not exactly a childhood fascination, but I
was indeed inclined towards government jobs since
long.
• How did you react when you saw your name in
the toppers list?
My Friend Prakash Chandra Shukla, me and my
brother were together while we started searching
for my name in the list. My reaction was one of
disbelief in the beginning. The rank was way above
what I had expected for myself. We shouted at the
TOP of our voices. We hugged each other. We
thanked God. And then the spate of never-ending
calls began.
• Could you tell us something about yourself,
your background like your family, school,
college, work, etc.
I come from a middle-class family based in
Saharsa, Bihar. I have done B.Tech in Computer
Science and Engineering from IIT BHU, Varanasi.
I worked at Samsung R&D Bangalore as a
Software Engineer from August 2015 till January
2016. After leaving Samsung, I started the Civil
Services Preparation. Meanwhile, I qualified UPSC
CAPF Assistant Commandant 2016 with AIR 1.
• What according to you makes civil services
such a trending exam with the youth despite
the proliferation of lucrative private sector
jobs?
Getting an identity early in life to build upon later
was my motivation behind becoming a civil
servant. I come from a middle-class family. I had
limited aspirations to begin with. I was initially
happy with the job of a Software Engineer in
Samsung Research India, Bangalore.
Though it was a well-paying job, there was a
struggle for identity. We had 5k employees
working in a building. I was one among them. I
wanted things to get better and a little more
challenging. I wanted things to be a lot more
happening. I could not wait for 20 30 years to
assume larger responsibility. I thought Civil
Services is one career option that provides us the
leverage of administering a district at a tender age
of 25 which is unparalleled. That was the prime
motivation for joining Civil Services.
About the strategy
• How was your typical day while you were
preparing for the exams?
I would wake up at 8 am. Meditation was a part of
my daily routine. I read the newspaper The Hindu
regularly. Then I would devote the remaining time
to General Studies and Mathematics Optional. A
balance has to be maintained in studying GS and
Optional.
• What was your method and style of
preparation? What was your methodology of
preparing notes as note making is an extremely
crucial step in preparation?
Limited study material and more of revisions and
mock tests was my style of preparation. I made
short notes for the topics mentioned in the syllabus
and revised them multiple times. I refrained from
making notes of standard textbooks like
Laxmikanth for Polity and Spectrum's book for
Modern History etc.
• We saw numerous candidates complain about
the GS paper being tougher especially in the
past two years, what do you suggest to the
aspirants preparing for Prelim-2019? How
should they prepare for the GS paper?
First finish the standard text materials. Then cover
the Current Affairs from 2 or more sources. For
Prelims, solving more and more mock test papers
holds the key. It is important to keep one's eyes and
ears open. Surfing the net helps in increasing
awareness.
• Completing the paper on time especially the
comprehension portion become a tough job for
many aspirants this year, kindly provide some
words of wisdom on tacking the speed and
managing time to the aspirants.
Practice more and more mock tests. Attempt the
tests in exam like conditions.

2
• Do you think that the mock tests are necessary
for success?
Prelims
In 2015 I did not solve Pre-test papers at all. I
failed by 11 marks. In 2016 I solved only 4 or 5 test
papers of Insights Test series. I failed Pre-by 7
marks. In 2017 I solved the entire papers of various
Test Series. I cleared Prelims with a margin of 15
marks.
Bottom Line: The more the better.
Mains
I was confident with answer writing in terms of
structure, language etc. I gave 8 Full length Tests.
That’s all. I had Math’s optional. I strictly followed
the timelines of Test Series.
Bottom line: There is no rule of thumb with regards
to number of Test Series. Some write less, some
more. Just know your need and prepare
accordingly.
Mains
● How did you prepare for the paper on essay?
I did not enroll in any Essay Test Series. I just
wrote 5–6 essays on my own, self-evaluated.
Learnt some quotes. Read some topper's essays.
● Which two essays did you write during your
exam? I wrote essays on:
Farming has lost the ability to be a source of
subsistence for majority of farmers in India.
Fulfillment of ‘new woman’ in India is a myth.
● How did you prepare for General Studies
Paper 1, 2, 3 and 4?
I covered the topics mentioned in the syllabus word
by word. I made short notes for them, added
current affairs elements from time to time. In all
the subjects, revision is the key.
● Could you suggest the apt answer writing
strategy for mains?
Writing more number of answers at one go is key
to building endurance. The focus should be on
completing the set of 20 questions with reasonable
content of decent quality. Always remember that
there is nothing like an ideal answer.
● What do you think about the FIXED SPACE
answer sheet? How was your experience with
the fixed space answer sheet?
There is always enough space for every answer. In
engineering optional and Mathematics, there is
indeed a risk of running out the fixed space in case
of miscalculations, but it can be managed with
sufficient practice.
● Do you suggest writing in bullets or in
paragraphs? How should we approach
questions which ask us to 'examine, discuss,
comment, elucidate.
It is advisable to write in bullets as it makes the life
of examiner easy. I never tried to bother too much
about the suggestive keywords. I always tried to
answer both sides of an issue and a suitable
conclusion.
● Do you think proper 'introduction- body and
conclusion' format works better? Many
students shared that due to the paucity of time
they just penned down the points they could
recollect rather than following the method.
What would you advice to the aspirants?
Yes. If one has time, a candidate MUST follow the
intro, body and conclusion format.
Mains Optional Subject
● What was your optional subject and why did
you select the same?
My optional subject was Mathematics. I had
genuine interest and a background in the subject,
hence I went with Math’s.
● What all factors an aspirant must consider
while selecting for an optional?
The factors to be considered include interest in the
subject, background in graduation, length of the
syllabus, time required for completion, guidance
and resources available, and overlap with General
Studies etc.
● Could you share the resource list for your
optional?
I used the Institute of Mathematical Sciences (IMS)
classes, study material and test series. I did not
solve standard books.
• Would you advise solving 10 years papers for
the optional?
Yes, it is advisable as it worked for me.
• Can one simply rely on books and notes to
prepare for this optional or do you also advice
the aspirants to leverage the internet?

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Optional with dynamic syllabus unlike
Mathematics require the use of the internet.
• How many months did you take to learn and
finish the core optional syllabus?
Mathematics optional is lengthy and requires a year
of preparation.
• Did you make self-notes for revision of the
optional? If yes then in which format did you
make the notes- electronic or handwritten?
Yes, I prepared formulae sheets for every chapter
and made notes of conceptual questions.
• Did you draw diagram in any paper for
instance in GS 1 Geography? Did you draw
them with a pen or a pencil? Did you use a
ruler to draw lines in the diagram?
Yes, I made diagrams whenever it was suitable. I
used pens to draw them. Ruler was not used by me
anywhere.
• Did you use highlighters or markers or sketch
pens while scripting your answers?
I simply underlined to highlight important parts of
my answer.
• Did you write the answers in blue or black
pen?
I used Blue Pilot V5 gel pen.
Interview
• What was your approach during the interview?
How did you prepare for the interview?
I prepared a list of probable questions from my
DAF, wrote answers for them and practiced them. I
covered important topics like hobbies, home state,
current affairs, graduation subject and optional
subject etc.
• Did you attend any mock interviews? Where
the mock interviews similar or different from
the official interview? Do you recommend
mock interviews to the aspirants?
Yes. The mock interviews were similar in many
aspects. I would recommend giving 4-6 mock
interviews.
• How did you make powerful first impressions
on the panel? What did you wear for the
interview?
I tried to greet the members with respect and tried
to maintain positivity and cheerfulness throughout.
I wore a navy blue suit, a sky blue shirt and a blue
tie.
• Who was the Chairman of your interview
board?
Prof P.K.Joshi
• How long did the interview last?
30-35 minutes.
• What all questions did the panel ask you and
what was your response to the questions
asked? Did you encounter any unpleasant
moment during the interview? Please narrate
your entire interview.
I was anxiously waiting at the Central Hall. The
ring belled. I was escorted by a peon into the
interview hall. After entering the hall, I wished the
Chairman first, followed by the lady member and
then the other 3 members together.
Date and Time of Interview: Forenoon 28th Feb 2018. I was the 3rd candidate out of 6.
Chairman (Dr. P.K. Joshi)
Question 1 : After appreciating 100 marks in
Mathematics in Xth Board, the Chairman Sir
asked “How many marks did you get in
Mathematics Class XII?”
Answer : Sir, 96.
Question 2 : Which force have you been allotted
through CAPF?
Answer : Sir, I have been allotted Sashastra Seema
Bal (SSB).
Question 3 : Being the topper of CAPF, you could
have got any force, why did you opt for Sashastra
Seema Bal (SSB)? Any particular reason?
Answer : Sir, SSB is tasked with guarding the
Indo-Nepal and Indo-Bhutan borders. I come from
Bihar which shares a long border with Nepal.
Since I am aware about the local conditions there,
I chose SSB. Further Sir, my mother tongue is
Maithili which is also spoken in good numbers in
Nepal, hence I can engage with them better.
Question 4 : When we have BSF as a border
guarding force, why need SSB?
Answer : Sir, BSF is tasked with guarding the
Indo-Pakistan and Indo-Bangladesh border. The
geographical conditions of Indo-Pakistan border is
quite different from the Indo- Nepal border or
Indo-Bhutan border. In the Indo-Pakistan case, the

4
border is sealed while India shares a porous border
with Nepal and Bhutan. Also Sir, there was a
Bhatnagar Committee report that recommended
for One Border Once Force concept accordingly
we have separate forces for each borders.
Question 5 : Suppose you are posted as a DM in a
village school and asked to address students of
Class VIII- XII, what would you speak about for
promoting Mathematics which students don't like?
Answer : Firstly, I would tell them about the
contributions of Indian Mathematicians and
motivate them that they can bring similar or even
better laurels for our nation. Secondly, I would tell
them about the scope of Mathematics as a career
option in future. Finally, I would tell them about
the applications of Mathematics in day-to-day life.
Question 6 : Use the pen and paper to solve this
question. Math’s Question 1: If a laborer earns
Rs. 75 on 1st
day and Rs. 95 on the next, what
would be the average wage?
Answer : (After calculating on pen and paper), Rs.
85 Sir.
Question 7 : Why is the answer not 50 kmph?
Answer : Sir, the acceleration is not constant in
this case, the bus changes direction, hence
we cannot take arithmetic mean of the two
velocities.
Question 8 : What was the type of mean you used
here?
Answer : I answered, “May I take a guess Sir? I
am not sure.” He said, “Please”. I said
“Harmonic Mean”. He nodded to my relief.
Question 9 : When was IT BHU made IIT BHU?
What difference has it made?
Answer : It was in the year 2012. I was asked,
“Are you sure?” I replied, “Yes Sir”. Then I added
that IIT tag has brought the institute to the global
stage. After getting recognition as an IIT, the
funding from the Centre has also undergone a
change.
Member 1 (Lady member)
Question 1 : What is Munger famous for? (Came
as a shocker for me because I am from Saharsa,
Bihar)
Answer : Madam, the soil of Munger is called
Kharwa mitti, because it is rich in Potassium
Nitrate or gunpowder and hence widely used for
making guns. That is the reason we have gun
culture in Munger. After being asked to continue, I
added that Munger also has a famous Yoga
University.
Question 2 : Do you do Yoga?
Answer : Yes, Madam.
Question 3 : What is the status of women in Bihar?
Do you think women has been empowered in your
state?
Answer : Madam, there has been an improvement
in the status of women in Bihar in recent years.
The state Chief Minister has taken a number of
initiatives like Bicycle for Girls Scheme, Ban on
liquor in the state etc. The state government has
also provided up to 50% reservation for women in
Panchayats.
Question 4 : What is accountable governance?
Answer : Madam, It means a way of governance in
which the government is responsible to the people
for its policy decisions. It means that the
governments can be held answerable for their
arbitrary decisions.
Question 5 : How to ensure government
accountability?
Answer : Madam, government can be held
accountable by increasing citizen’s participation in
governance. Currently, what happens is that the
citizen’s participation is limited to voting during
elections. This has to change. I think the social
media has emerged as a tool to ensure
accountability in governance.
Member 2
Question 1 : What was the project you worked
upon in Samsung?
Answer : Sir, I was working on a project on Iris
Authentication. I was working on a project in
which we were trying to develop software that
would automatically pause a video when the
viewer looks away from the mobile screen. It was
based on the idea of Authentication using Iris.
Question 2 : What is the state of R&D in India?
Answer : Sir, currently, India is spending around
0.5-0.6% of the GDP on R&D which is
much lower than most of the BRICS countries.
Question 3 : What is the need of high end R&D
when our basic skill needs are unmet?
Answer : Sir, high end R&D has applications at
lower levels too. For example, advanced weather
forecasting using Supercomputers can help in

5
preventing crop losses. Therefore we need a two- pronged approach on R&D
Member 3
Question 1: Should we go for making strong laws
to provide security to women?
Answer : Sir, I believe that it is the certainty of
punishment and not its severity that deters crime.
Hence, I think strict enforcement of existing laws
is more important than making laws stringent.
Question 2 : Are laws against Dowry enough?
Why are they being misused? What are recent
changes in Dowry law?
Answer : Sir, there are enough laws to deal with
dowry. But such laws need to be complemented by
social awareness campaigns like the human chains
launched by the Bihar government to spread
awareness about the legal safeguards available to
women. Section 498A of IPC has been misused by
women under a number of circumstances due to
ulterior motives. Recently, Supreme Court has
held that Family Welfare Committees should be
set up at district levels that would go into the
truthfulness of dowry related complaints before
any police action.
Question 3: Situational Question: Suppose your
domestic help comes to you and complains to you
about her drunkard husband who comes from
work and beats her under the influence of alcohol.
What would be your step of action?
Answer : I would talk to the employer of the
husband and advise to not encourage drinking at
the workplace. I would advise the employer to
organize sensitization sessions at the workplace to
make the employees aware about the pitfalls
associated with drinking alcohol. If things do not
improve, I would help the distressed woman in
lodging a complaint under Prevention of Domestic
Violence Act, 2005 and I would take stringent
actions against the erring husband.
Member 4
Question 1: What was the earlier name of BHU?
Answer : I am not aware Sir.
Question 2 : Who founded it?
Answer : Sir, Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya Ji
was the founder.
Question 3 : Who gave the money for the setting
up of BHU?
Answer : Maharaja of Benaras, Kashi Naresh gave
the money on the insistence of Malviya Ji and
Annie Besant.
Question 4 : Who founded AMU and when?
Answer : Sir Syyed Ahmad Khan founded AMU. I
am not sure of the year Sir.
Question 5 : Don’t you think that the British sowed
the seeds of division by helping the setup of a
Hindu University and a Muslim university?
Answer : Sir, I agree with your assertion. But I
also believe that the modern education was the
need of the hour.
Question 6 : Why is Varanasi named so?
Answer : There are two rivers named Varuna and
Assi that flows through the city, hence the city had
been named Varanasi.
Question 7 : Why is IIT BHU not doing too good?
(Asked in Hindi)
Answer : Sir, while it is true that IIT BHU has
seen its rank degrade in the recently released NIRF
rankings. (Replied in Hindi). There are some
issues with the infrastructure. But in terms of
placements, we are neck to neck with the 5 old
IITs.
Question 8: Why is Kashi so famous?
Answer: Kashi is famous for the Kashi
Vishwanath Temple, serene ghats of Ganges etc.
Kashi since ages has been known as a place where
people come during the later part of their lives to
attain Moksha.
Question 9: What is 3rd Industrial Revolution, 2nd
IR and 1st IR?
Answer: 3rd IR is related to Internet.
The member interrupted by saying, “No, you are
wrong!” I replied, “May I know the correct
answer, Sir?” I was told that 3rd IR was related to
Computers and not Internet. I thanked the member
and added that 2nd IR was related to Electricity
and 1st IR with Steam Engine.
Thereafter, I was told by the Chairman that my
interview was over. I stood up, thanked the
Chairman first and then thanked all the members. I
left the room with mixed feelings. My
Observations: I found the board to be cordial. I
found the last member to be a little intimidating. I
was asked no questions on hobbies. To my
surprise, I was asked no question on Why IPS as
the first preference! I was well prepared on how to
handle those questions. I had read a lot about
Police reforms, issues in policing etc. But UPSC is
unpredictable at times. Results are out. I scored

6
167 in interview and secured AIR 13 in Civil Services Examination 2017.
• How can aspirants ward off distractions? As keeping the momentum becomes a challenge for most
aspirants as they lack consistency.
An aspirant should stay out of social media. It is advisable to do Yoga, meditation etc to maintain concentration.
Sports and music can also be pursued.
• Would you like to share with the readers about the people who have been behind your spectacular
performance like family, friends, teachers, mentors, etc.?
I would like to thank Pavan Kumar Sir who taught me GS Paper IV and Venkanna Sir who helped me in
Mathematics optional. My parents and my family supported me a lot in overcoming failures. My father needs a
mentioning here as he was the one who could sense that I would secure a rank in two digits.
• Did you benefit from the StudyIQ platform during your preparation for the exam?
I used to watch Current Affairs videos from the YouTube Channel of StudyIQ platform. I benefitted from the
same.
Thankyou
Sagar Kumar Jha
AIR 13 , CSE 2017

7
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
(Click on the image to watch the video)
USA grants India waiver on Iran’s Oil
What is it About:
USA has granted waiver to 8 countries, including India on
Iran’s oil import. Put pause on its sanction for next 6 months.
Background to the Story:
USA retreated itself from Iran’s deal which Obama
Administration had proposed. The full analysis can be found
here in the video.
Sanctions of USA were to put Iran in the first hand of the lists
in CAATSA act (Countering America’s Adversaries Through
Sanctions Act) and to corner the Iran through world trade.
The full information is in the video of the mentioned title.
(Click on the image above to watch the video)
Basics of the Sanctions:
Two sets of sanctions – First
Ø Iran’s purchase of U.S. currency
Ø Iran’s trade in gold and other precious metals
Ø The sale to Iran of auto parts, commercial passenger
aircraft, and related parts and services.
Second sets of Sanctions:
Ø Start from 5th November
Ø Restricts sales of oil and petrochemical products from
Iran.
Ø Thus any country, or company, trading with Iran without
US consent after sanctions kick off risks getting cut off
from the American financial system
India – Iran Relations:
India is a major importer of Iranian oil - of the 220.4 million
metric tonnes of crude imported by India in 2017-18, more
than 9% was from Iran. India had imported about 22 million
tons of crude oil from Iran in 2017-18 and planned to raise
that to about 30 million tonnes in 2018-19.
The Trump administration will allow eight countries to import
limited amounts of Iranian oil even after US sanctions.
The Eights Countries:
China, India, South Korea, Turkey, Italy, the United
Arab Emirates and Japan have been top importers of
Iran's oil, while Taiwan occasionally buys cargoes of
Iranian crude but is not a major buyer. Turkey has
been told it will temporarily be allowed to keep buying
Iranian oil, its energy minister told reporters, as has
Iraq, as long as it does not pay Iran in U.S. dollars.
Major Benefit:
A waiver will come as a big relief to Indian Oil and
Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL),
the two largest Iranian oil consumers. The two firms
together have placed an order for 1.25mt of crude from
Iran in November.
SWIFT Financial Messaging Service:
U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin also said
Washington had told the Brussels-based SWIFT
financial messaging service it was expected to
disconnect all Iranian financial institutions that the
United States plans to blacklist
Conditions:
But, as a condition of waiver, Indian oil firms will
reduce their imports significantly. The U.S. has said
that it is only issuing temporary waivers, and the
waivers are strictly linked to the condition that
countries receiving them keep cutting down their
purchases from Iran.
(Scan the QR code to watch the video)

8
China Pakistan Bus Service via PoK
What is it About::
Pakistan – China bus service launched between Kashgar
(China) and Lahore (Pakistan) via Pak occupied Kashmir.
India has put its strong protest on it.
CPEC’s Role:
Ø Propsed route of the bus is via much-talked China
Pakistan Economic Corridor.
Ø Lahore (Pakistan )and Kashgr (Taslkurgan, China)
will be the end-points of the bus service.
Ø Sat-Sun-Mon-Tuesday will be the departure days from
Lahore while Tues-Wednes-Thurs-Friday will be the
departure days from Tashkurgan.
Ø Cost of the journey is 13,000 Pakistani Rupee for one
way and 23,000 PKR for two ways.
Ø Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) and
Shuja Express are the two venture partners of the bus
service.
Ø 5 Stopovers, 15-seater bus, crossing at Khunjerab, China
and the service will require valid visa and ID card and
will take 36 hours two ways.
Ø Humayun Iqbal Shami – Chairman of the China-
Pakistan Economic Forum.
No Assent from India:
India has protested vehemently the bus service by a rationale
that if the PoK is the disputed land between India and
Pakistan, China is bound to talk to India in this scenario.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lu Kang defended the
bus service, saying its cooperation with Pakistan and has no
business with India about the territorial clamor.
NOTES :

9
UPSC Perspective: UPSC Prelims 2019
What Happened in November 2018?
PM’s visti to Singapore:
PM recently concluded his visit to Singapore and attended the
ASEAN-India Summit held on the sidelines of 33rd ASEAN
(Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Summit, 13th East
Asia Summit (EAS) and Regional Comprehensive Economic
Partnership (RCEP) Summit.
ASEAN Summit, November 2018
➢ The ASEAN Summit is a semi-annual (occurring twice a
year) meeting
➢ This was 33rd
ASEAN Summit.
33rd ASEAN Summit
Theme: Resilient And Innovative
About ASEAN
➢ The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or
ASEAN,established in 1967 with the signing of the
ASEAN Declaration (Bangkok Declaration).
➢ The ASEAN members are Indonesia, Thailand,
Singapore, Malaysia, The Philippines, Vietnam,
Myanmar, Cambodia, Brunei, and Laos.
INDIA–ASEAN
➢ On the sidelines of the 33rd ASEAN Summit,
India-ASEAN Summit was also organized.
➢ As strategic partners, India and ASEAN have
trade and economic relations.
➢ Trade between India and ASEAN stood at around
$ 81 billion in 2017-18 and constitutes 10% of
India’s total trade. Exports to ASEAN countries
constitute 11% of India’s total exports.
➢ India and ASEAN have a combined population of
1.9 billion, which is a quarter of the world’s
population and the combined GDP of $5 trillion.
➢ In 2017, India and ASEAN celebrated 25 years of
their engagement and the India-ASEAN
Commemorative Summit was held on January
25th, 2018.
➢ India’s relation with ASEAN is marked by 3 C’s
Culture, Commerce and Connectivity.
13th East Asia Summit
➢ India also participated in 13th East Asia Summit.
➢ The East Asia Summit (Established:2005) is a
forum of 18 countries of the Asia-Pacific region
formed to further the objectives of regional peace,
security, and prosperity.
➢ The members of East Asia Summit consist of the
10 ASEAN nations (Indonesia, Thailand,
Singapore, Malaysia, The Philippines, Vietnam,
Myanmar, Cambodia, Brunei, and Laos), and 8
other members- Australia, China, India, Japan,
New Zealand, South Korea, Russia, and the US.
2nd Regional Comprehensive Economic
Partnership (RCEP) Summit
➢ Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
➢ It is an idea of a free trade agreement for
countries like ASEAN Members (Brunei,
Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar,
the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam)
and the six Asia-Pacific states(Australia, China,
India, Japan, South Korea, and New Zealand).

10
➢ Some countries should be united under the free trade
agreement in terms of market access. Diminishing all the
borders in terms of the market.
➢ Under RCEP any country can sell its product in another
country at the minimum tariff.
➢ RCEP is a revolutionary idea and when it gets
successful, there will be a positive drift in the economy
for a respective country hence providing an economic
stability.
3rd Quad Meeting(Informal Group)
➢ It is the grouping of four democracies –India, Australia,
the US, and Japan.
➢ The Quad association of members who have a shared
objective to ensure and support a “free, open and
prosperous” Indo-Pacific region and rules-based global
order.
➢ Connectivity, counterterrorism, and cyber security were
the focus of the conversation at the third meeting of the
‘Quad’ countries.
➢ The US, Japan, and Australia emphasized “rules-based
order” in their statements, which was missing from the
Indian statement.
➢ A serious discussion took place on Sri Lanka and
Maldives, both in India’s immediate neighborhood and
influenced by China’s expansionism.
Why Trump Was Absent?
➢ The US president’s lack of engagement with Asian
nations came just days after a trip to France for World
War One commemorations at which he appeared isolated
from NATO allies.
➢ As well as the summits of the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (Asean) and East Asian nations in
Singapore, Trump will also skip the Asia Pacific
Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Papua New
Guinea.
Doubts
Ø Trump attended both the ASEAN and APEC meetings in
2017, and his decision to stay away this year has raised
questions about Washington’s commitment to a regional
strategy to counter China.
Ø Vice President Mike Pence, who represented Trump in
Singapore, told the meeting that United States’
commitment to the Indo-Pacific is “steadfast and
enduring.”
(Scan the QR Code to watch video)
NOTES :

11
UPSC Perspective :
Mains Paper 2: International Relations – Effects of policies &
politics of developed and developing countries in India’s
interests
Bhutan
➢ Bhutan is a landlocked country in South Asia.
➢ Less contact with China.
➢ More connected with India.
➢ Bhutan is a constitutional monarchy( King has the
power, but limited to the constitution)
➢ The government is a parliamentary democracy; the head
of state is the King of Bhutan, known as the “Dragon
King”.
➢ Bhutan is a member of the United Nations, SAARC,
BIMSTEC and the Non-Aligned Movement.
Constitutional Monarchy
➢ A constitutional monarchy is a monarchy in which the
monarch’s powers are limited by a constitution.
➢ Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck is the current
reigning Druk Gyalpo or “Dragon King” of the Kingdom
of Bhutan.
Elections In Bhutan
The Parliament – Chi Tshog has two Houses:
➢ National Council (Gyelyong Tshogde) Upper House.
➢ National Assembly (Tshogdu) Lower House, both with a
five-year term.
About Bhutan Parliament
➢ The National Council has 25 members of which 20 are
elected while five are nominated by the King; candidates
contest the Council elections as independents and not as
party nominees.
➢ However, elections to the National Assembly, which has
47 members are held on party lines.
Parties Of Bhutan
➢ People’s Democratic Party (PDP), led by Tobgay in its
manifesto describes India as “our closest neighbour and
friend”, and says it will ensure further engagement with
New Delhi ( Pro India Party)
➢ Druk PhuensumTshogpa (DPT), of Dr Pema Gyamtsho
in its manifesto, says it remains committed to
maintaining and furthering excellent bilateral
relations by deepening economic ties and
carrying forward the mutually beneficial
cooperation.
➢ Some doubts, though, have been expressed if
DPT’s vision of “sovereignty, security and self-
sufficiency” is intended as a thinly veiled
reference to Indian interests.
Bhutan 2018 Election Winner
➢ Centre-Left DNT, which seeks to strengthen and
diversify economic ties with India, has won 30
seats in the 47-member National Assembly, the
lower house of the Bhutanese parliament.
The DNT vision included boosting connectivity, the
promotion of Bhutan’s culture to enhance tourism, and
building of infrastructure to enhance connectivity. It
also had plans to introduce childcare and maternity
benefits to women to tackle the reduction in the
number of childbirths in Bhutan. There was, however,
no mention of foreign policy issues in the manifesto.
Bhutan Got A New Prime Minister
Prime Minister Narendra Modi called Bhutan’s newly
elected Prime Minister LotayTshering, president of
the Druk NyamrupTshogpa party, to congratulate him
on his election win.
Importance Of Election Result For India
➢ For India, Bhutanese elections have a special
significance, considering the very close relations
that New Delhi shares with Thimphu, especially
in the context of increased Chinese involvement
and the Doklam standoff.
➢ Keeping the 79-day Doklam standoff between the
Indian and Chinese armies in view, the leanings
of the Bhutanese PM are crucial.
Bhutan’s expectation’s From India
➢ Ending that speculation, the PM in waiting,
Lotaty Tshering, in a media interview has already
stated that “Our [DNT] views are very clear on
foreign policy and we believe that it cannot
change every five years.
➢ Our King (Jigme Khesar NamgyelWangchuck)
will be the guiding force on matters of foreign
policy… And on India, we believe that Bhutan-
India relationship is non-negotiable.”
Bhutan,- India Tensions
Hydropower projects are critical for the Bhutanese
economy, and are at the core of Bhutan’s plans for
self-reliance.
As of July 2017, Bhutan’s debt to India for the three
major ongoing projects:
Mangdechhu, Punatsangchhu 1 and 2 is
approximately Rs 12,300 Crores which accounts for

12
77% of the country’s total debt, and is 87% of its GDP.
While the cost of the 720 MW Mangdechhu project has
nearly doubled in the past two years of construction, both
Punatsangchhu 1 and 2, each of 1200 MW have trebled in
cost and were delayed more than five years over the original
completion schedule.
UPSC Perspective
Mains Paper 2:
International Relations, Bilateral, Regional & Global
Groupings & Agreements involving India and
affecting India’s interests.
What Happened Recently?
➢ India denied a visa to Kosovo boxer
Donjeta Sadiku to participate in the AIBA
Women’s World Boxing Championships.
➢ After this, Olympic Committee of Asia
(OCA) President wrote to the Sports Minister and
the Indian Olympic Association, President, saying
the visa denial “cast doubt” on India’s eligibility for
hosting future international sporting events.
➢ For its part, AIBA threatened that it
would reconsider India as the host for 2021 AIBA
Men’s Boxing Championships.
Kosovo Boxer Donjeta Sadiku’s Photo
History Of Kosovo
Ø At one time, Kosovo had been the heart of the
Serbian Empire, only to be lost to the Ottomans
in 1398.
Ø Centuries later, in 1912, Serbia regained control
of Kosovo, and by 1946, Kosovo was absorbed
into the Yugoslav federation.
Ø Around the 1960s, Kosovo began to assert its
autonomy, being a majority-Muslim province
after centuries of Ottoman rule, in a majority-
Christian Federation.
Ø The Yugoslav federation accepted this autonomy
in the 1980s, giving Kosovo a ‘de facto self-
government’.
➢ But from 1998-99, Kosovo was the site of a bitter
and deadly war that killed thousands, largely
fought between ethnic Serbs and ethnic
Albanians.
➢ In a conflict that spiralled into killings and
revenge killings.
➢ NATO finally intervened against Yugoslavia, and
the Kumanovo Agreement was reached in 1999 to
end the war.
NOTES :

13
Kosovo
➢ In 2008, Kosovo declared its independence from
Serbia, in a move that was summarily rejected by
the Serbian government.
➢ While Serbia recognizes administration of the
territory by Kosovo's elected government, it
continues to claim it as its own Autonomous
Province of Kosovo and Metohija.
➢ Kosovo is a member of the International Monetary
Fund, World Bank, Regional Cooperation Council
and has applied for membership of Interpol and for
observer status in the Organization of the Islamic
Cooperation.
International Recognition Of Kosovo
As of 1 November 2018, the Republic of Kosovo has
received 116 diplomatic recognitions as an independent state.
Dark green part states, the countries which recognize Kosovo
as an independent.
BRICS countries do not support Kosovo as an independent.
Adhering To Its Principles
➢ For India, this is about more than just Kosovo, a tiny
European nation.
➢ This is about a long- and tightly-held principle that India
holds dear –that of sovereignty and respecting the
territorial integrity.
➢ India does not recognize Kosovo as an independent
nation, despite it having declared itself independent from
Serbia in 2008.
➢ As one of the founders of the Non-Aligned Movement in
the aftermath of World War II, India’s foreign policy
follows these principles: Non-interference in other
nation’s internal affairs and an expectation of non-
interference in its own; mutual respect for territorial
integrity and sovereignty; mutual non-aggression; and
peaceful coexistence.
Complications For India
➢ With a conflict-ridden Kashmir to the north, where cries
of ‘azaadi’ are routinely heard, and a recurring Khalistan
struggle.
➢ India is reluctant to lend weight to the notion that
territories within a sovereign nation can secede at
will.
➢ Such an action would, India fears, open it up to
legitimate charges of hypocrisy – ‘If you will
accept the right of self-determination of xyz
country, why not of your own
Kashmiris/Khalistan is?’
What Could India Have Done To Avoid
Controversy?
➢ India does not yet have a good enough reason to
sideline its long-standing foreign policy
principles on which it bases its interactions with
other countries.
➢ India didn’t need to sacrifice hosting all future
international competitions.
➢ We should (like China) have just given the boxer
a visa on a piece of paper stapled to her passport.
NOTES :

14
What is the issue of Asia Bibi?
Asia Bibi is a Christian citizen of Pakistan who was acquitted
by the Supreme Court of Pakistan in a case of blasphemy of
2009. As a result of her acquittal, several right wing
fundamentalist groups have waged commotions in Pakistan to
give her a public execution.
Prelude to the Acquittal:
Asia Bibi (real name – Aasia Noreen) is 47 year old farm
laborer Christian in Pakistan. Three Muslim women of Asia’s
locality had purportedly refused to drink water from a vessel
because it was used by Christian people, Asia claimed it. A
verbal row erupted between Asia and those three women and
it was alleged by those three women that Asia Bibi ridiculed
Prophet Muhammed. This verbal brawl gets spread in the
local region, a mob in the locality circumvents her house and
she was threatened by the mob. Ultimately, it led to file a
complaint against her and in November 2010, a trial court
sentenced her of death penalty under Section 295-C of
Pakistan Penal Code.
In Pakistan, under the case of blasphemy, death sentence is
mandatory. The Lahore High Court upheld the trial court
verdict, of her death penalty in October 2014.
In the Meanwhile:
Several Christian organizations and groups termed the verdict
as irrational and pleaded the Pakistani government to
intervene into the matter. Pope Francis also requested for the
intervention of the Pakistani government.
In 2011, Punjab governor Salman Taseer called the decision
irrational, supported Asia and invoked the court to rethink of
the blasphemy law. The repercussion of his voice resulted in
his assassination by his own guard Mumtaz Qadri.
Mumtaz Qadri was convicted and executed in 2016. But, he
was hailed as a martyr by several fundamentalist and religious
hardliners. Millions of people visited a shrine made for him
near Islamabad.
Shahbaz Bhatti, Minister for Minorities Affairs, was also
assassinated in 2011 when he voiced his support for Asia
Bibi.
Supreme Court’s Verdict:
After this long furore, Supreme Court inverted the
high court’s verdict. Two judges of the Supreme Court
of Pakistan: Justice Asif Saeed Khosa and Justice
Mazhar Alam exonerated her of the charge of
blasphemy on October 31, 2018. Justice Khosa recited
some couplets of Holy Quran during the judgement
and asserted, “tolerance is one of the root principles of
Islam. You (religious hardliners) can kill me too, I am
an easy target for you.”
After the SC’s Verdict:
Several hardliners of Pakistan, including Jamat-ud-
Dawa (led by terrorist Haafez Saeed), Jamat-Ulema-
ae-Islam called the verdict by the supreme court as
wrong and started to protest. Vandalism and uproar
break out in Pakistan. Those hardliners told the
supporters to kill Justice Khosa and Justice Alam and
execute Asia Bibi publicly.
Dastardly Government of Pakistan:
It was totally expected that Asia Bibi will leave the
nation as soon as she gets free. Her husband Asiq
Masih and her two daughters are already talking
asylum in London and waiting for her return to them.
On 2 November 2018, the Government of Pakistan and
the Islamist Tehreek-e-Labbaik political party, which
abetted the protests against Asia Bibi, allegedly came
into an agreement to bar Asia Bibi from leaving the
country. According to the agreement, the legal process
will be initiated to put Asia Bibi on the Exit Control
List (ECL) which prohibits any individual from
leaving the nation.
NOTES :

15
What is a ‘Soft State’? A pseudonym for India!!
UPSC Relevance – GS Paper-2
What is Soft State?
The term coined by Gunnar Myrdal, in his book, ‘Asian
Drama’ while comparing South Asian countries to
Europe.
He propounded that South Asian countries follow the
policy of Soft State. The policy of soft state professes a
lenient attitude towards the ‘Social Deviance’. Example
of Social Deviance can be rape, murders, crime,
extortion, etc. In another word which is said that those
deeds or activities is not in convergence with the social
norms. So by soft state means, that kind of government
doesn’t take hard decisions over rapes, crime and other
social deviance while sometimes they become very
indispensable.
The soft state policy weakens the capacity of the state in
enforcing the rule of law. Not taking hard decisions
increases the crime rate, violence, corruption, etc. Law
is needed in any nation and the bodies are accountable to
implement those rules and laws. ‘Rule of Law’ should
always prevail over the ‘Rule of Person/Individual’.
Perspective of India:
In India, this policy is being followed in the post-
independence period. After Independence, and also
especially after 1990 most of the governments ran in
coalition with other parties. So, when in coalition,
governments sometimes profess a lenient attitude in
order to appease the alliance, which may cause the
social deviance, ultimately being a Soft State.
Several international veterans aver that India is slowly
turning into a Soft State because of coalition among
more than 10 political parties. Myrdal said that effective
governments follow the strict enforcement of laws and
rules.
Internal Issues: The British introduced the rules and
laws and implemented them, which suited their vested
interests during the colonial era. But, even after
Independence, it is seen that governments in
independent India were not able to implement the rules
and laws. On some grounds, people themselves are not
ready to accept the ‘rules’, in fact, they want to keep on
running by the existed ‘social norms’. Some warm
examples can be Caste-ism, Dowry, female foeticide, or
even the current Sabrimala one.
External Issues: In the scenario of terrorism, there
were/are several fronts where governments need to take
some strict actions over this albatross around India’s
neck. For example, the naxalism has turned into a
hornets’ nest in India. A population exists in India who
sympathizes with the naxalism.
Earlier in Time:
There were some decision by India by Indira Gandhi in
1971, when war with Pakistan broke out and then prime
minister took a stiff bat and helped in creation of
Bangladesh, merged Sikkim in India in 1975 and took
tooth an nails over Punjab’s separatist Khalistan
movement.
NOTES :

16
Trump may end the Birthright citizenship in U.S.A.:
American President Donald Trump has said that he
would end the birthright citizenship of USA by
Presidential Executive Order. This citizenship is given
to those babies who are born within the territory of
USA. Example- If a non-American woman is pregnant
and if she goes to the USA, for any purpose, and if she
delivers the baby in USA within the trip, the woman can
apply for the citizenship of that new-born baby. So,
Trump wants to end this provision of citizenship.
Prelude to the Provision:
→ 14th
Constitutional Amendment is behind this law,
ratified on July 9, 1868, under the presidency of
Andrew Johnson.
→ The amendment was brought to neutralize and
grant citizenship prominently to the black
Americans who were slaves’ children, and also
those slaves who were freed after the civil war of
USA.
→ It states, “All persons born or naturalized in the
United States, and subject to the jurisdiction
thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the
State wherein they reside. No State shall make or
enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges
or immunities of citizens of the United States.”
Jus Soli and Jus Sanguinis:
U.S. citizenship is automatically granted to any person
born within and subject to the jurisdiction of the United
States (known as jus soli).
Birthright citizenship also applies to children born
elsewhere in the world to U.S. citizens (with certain
exceptions), known as jus sanguinis.
Jus soli is a Latin term that means law of the soil. Many
countries follow the system of jus soli or more
commonly known as, birthright citizenship. Jus soli is a
Latin term that means law of the soil. Many countries
follow the system of jus soli or more commonly known
as, birthright citizenship.
Countries following the system of Jus Soli:
➢ Argentina
➢ Barbados
➢ Brazil
➢ Canada
➢ Jamaica
➢ Mexico
➢ Pakistan
➢ Peru
➢ Romania
➢ United States
➢ Uruguay
Jus Sanguinis: Indian nationality law largely follows the
jus sanguinis (citizenship by right of blood) as opposed
to the jus soli (citizenship by right of birth within the
territory).
Children at birth may automatically be citizens if their
parents have state citizenship or national identities of
ethnic, cultural, or other origins.
Mixture of Jus Soli and Jus Sanguinis:
USA, Canada, Israel, Greece, The Republic of Ireland
and Germany.
India’s Rule – A child born in India must have at least
one parent who is Indian citizen to be conferred
citizenship.
NOTES :

17
UPSC Perspective – Prelims
Seychelles’ Blue Bond:
The Republic of Seychelles on October 29, 2018
launched the world’s first Sovereign Blue Bond, a
financial instrument designed to support sustainable
marine and fisheries projects.
About Seychelles:
➢ Seychelles is an archipelago of some islands,
part of the African Continent
➢ Independence - from U.K. on June 19, 1976
➢ Capital- Victoria
➢ Ethnicity – Creoles (93.2%)
➢ Currency – Seychellois Rupee (SCR)
➢ President – Danny Faure
The bond raised USD 15 million from international
investors. The bond demonstrates the potential for
countries to harness capital markets for financing the
sustainable use of marine resources. With the issuance
of the Blue Bonds, Seychelles became the first nation to
pioneer such a novel financing instrument.
Boom in the Tourism Industry:
After the visit of Prince William onto the island nation
in 2011 with wife Princess Kate, the island nation is
thriving in the tourism industry. Now, the government is
has proposed some plans to keep this boom intact by
saving and enhancing the marine life and industry.
Companies investing in the Blue Bond:
The World Bank assisted in developing the Blue Bond
and helped the country in reaching out to the three
investors:
➢ Calvert Impact Capital
➢ Nuveen
➢ U.S. Headquartered Prudential Financial Inc.
Main Points of Blue Bond:
➢ The Blue Bond is a part of an initiative that
combines public and private investment to mobilize
resources for empowering local communities and
businesses.
➢ Proceeds from the bond will be utilized for the
expansion of marine protected areas, improved
governance of priority fisheries and the
development of the Seychelles’ blue economy.
➢ Proceeds from the bond will also contribute to the
World Bank’s South West Indian Ocean Fisheries
Governance and Shared Growth Program, which
supports countries in the region to sustainably
manage their fisheries and increase economic
benefits from their fisheries sectors.
The Creation of Blue Bond:
➢ The Seychelles blue bond is partially guaranteed by
a USD 5 million guarantee from the World Bank
(IBRD) and is further supported by a USD 5
million concessional loans from the Global
Environment Facility (GEF) which will partially
cover interest payments for the bond.
➢ A World Bank team comprising experts from its
Treasury, Legal, Environmental and Finance
groups worked with investors in structuring the
blue bond.
India’s Concern with the Seychelles:
Seychelles has become India’s concern because of
‘Assumption Island’. Indian navy wants to set up a
Sound Surveillance System over Seychelles. But
Seychelles government refused the proposal as they
were facing conflicts on its own land. People of the
Seychelles don’t want to be in tussle between India and
China.
NOTES :

18
UPSC Perspective : GS 2 - International relations
Why in news :
● Despite more than 2 years since the Brexit
vote, Britain remains as divided as ever, over
the issue of leaving the EU.
About BREXIT :
● Brexit is a term used to define United Kingdom
coming out of EU. In a Referendum conducted
in United Kingdom, UK voted by a narrow
margin in favor of Brexit. Negotiations are
undergoing currently between United Kingdom
and European Parliament to negotiate the terms
of the exit deal.
Constitutional Provision of Brexit:
● Lisbon Treaty (Article 50) provides for exit of
member countries from European Union. For
any country to come out of European Union, it
has to negotiate a deal with EU. The deal will
provide for a settlement between EU and UK.
Why the demand for Brexit ?
● Economic reasons – The primary contention
was that economically, Britain loses more than
what it gains.
● Immigration issues : Half of British legal
migrants come from EU. There is this feeling
that they have a negative impact on UK born
workers. Adding credence to local fears was
the fact that since 1997, 3/4th of jobs created
are taken up by EU immigrants. EU’s
obligation on its members to accommodate
more refugees also did not find favor with UK.
Especially at a time when the refugee influx in
Europe is at an all-time high in light of
multiple crisis in Middle East and Africa
● Sovereignty Issue : EU is a transformative idea
in many senses. One of the things that it leads
to is the weakening of national sovereignty. EU
has been pushing for creation of an Ever Closer
Union which would accord greater decision
making powers to European Parliament, while,
limiting the authority of British Parliament.
The Process of BREXIT :
Firstly, passed through Theresa may's cabinet. Then,
approved by EU. And finally needs to be passed through
the UK's house of commons.
The Three Main Issues Dominate The Deal :
a) Financial settlement between the UK & the EU
b) Rights of UK and EU citizens living in each
other's countries
c) UK- Republic of Ireland border issues
How The Irish Question Playing Out?
● Ireland is an island to the west of Britain and
has two major regions
(north and south) with distinct
demographic features.
● “Protestant majority Northern Ireland” (a U.K.
territory) and “Catholic majority Irish
Republic” (an independent country in the
south), have had serious ethnic tensions within
and between them.
● A
s
U.K. plans to exit EU, the Irish question has
come to haunt all concerned governments as
there is palpable fear that a new era of violence
might start.
PRELIMS Bits : About EU :
● The European Union (EU):
● Political & Economic union of 28 states.
● Area of 4,475,757 km2 (1,728,099 sq mi)
● Estimated population - 513 million. The
Developed as an internal single market through
a standardized system of laws that apply in all
member states in those matters, and only those
matters, where members have agreed to act as
one.
NOTES :

19
UPSC Perspective: Prelims 2019
Gibraltar
Ø Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory
located at the southern tip of the Iberian
Peninsula.
Ø Not part of Spain.
Ø Colony of Britain.
Ø The landscape is dominated by the Rock of
Gibraltar at the foot of which is a densely
populated city area, home to over 30,000
people, primarily Gibraltarians.
British Overseas Territory
14 Overseas Territory Britain Has.
Ø Anguilla.
Ø Bermuda.
Ø British Antarctic Territory (BAT) - ASSI has
no direct responsibility in relation to BAT as
the Antarctic Treaty takes precedence.
Ø British Indian Ocean Territory.
Ø British Virgin Islands.
Ø Cayman Islands.
Ø Falkland Islands.
Ø Gibraltar - outside ASSI's remit due to its
position within the European Union.
Ø Montserrat.
Ø Pitcairn Island, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno
Islands..
Ø St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha.
Ø Sovereign Base Areas (SBA) - ASSI's
responsibility in relation to the SBA is limited
to the provision of advice to the Administrator.
Ø South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands.
Ø Turks and Caicos Islands
Rock Of Gibraltar
Iberian Peninsula
Located on the southwestern tip of the European
continent, the Iberian Peninsula, includes the countries
of Andorra, Portugal and Spain, and the British Crown
colony of Gibraltar.
Why Is Gibraltar British?
Ø It's one of 14 territories from the days of the
British Empire that's still owned by the UK.
Ø Spain lost Gibraltar to an Anglo-Dutch force in
1704 and officially handed it to London in
1713.
Ø Spain wanted it back ever since.
Ø But in two fairly recent referendums - 1968
and 2002 - the people of Gibraltar chose to
remain under British rule rather than Spanish.
Ø Britain is a big economy that’s why people
stayed with Britain
Ø Gibraltar's important strategic position - as an
entrance to the Mediterranean - is one of the
reasons Britain has wanted to keep hold of it.
Why Is It Important To Brexit?
Brexit: Britain getting out of the European Union.
Ø The people who live in Gibraltar are British
citizens, so they also got to vote in the EU
referendum.
Ø They voted to stay in the EU - a massive 96%
chose to remain - but will be leaving with the
rest of the UK.
Brexit And Gibraltar
Ø Shocking for Spain to see that people don’t
want to leave Britain.
Ø Spain puts its demand forward by saying that,
Spain will have its hand in the decision making
of the Gibraltar.
Victory For Spain?
Ø Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez told a
press conference in the immediate aftermath of
the remaining 27 EU leaders giving Mrs.
May’s Brexit deal the nod, that Spain has been
given the upper hand with future negotiations
over the Rock.
Ø He said: “This puts Spain in a position of
strength in negotiations with the United
Kingdom over Gibraltar that we have not had
until now.” Referring to Gibraltar.
Ø Spain took the benefit of the Britains condition
by imposing its highest authority on Gibraltar.

20
Theresa May Under Pressure
Ø Theresa May has been accused of betrayal after
giving way to Spain’s demands over the future
of Gibraltar.
Ø Once the UK has left the EU, Gibraltar’s
political, legal and even geographic
relationship with the EU will go through Spain.
Moscow Format and Taliban Complete Analysis
The Taliban is getting stronger in Afghanistan and how
will it impact India , Pakistan and other countries.
Why is the Moscow Format So Important.
UPSC Perspective
GS Prelims and Mains II – India and its neighbor;
International Relations
Why In news:
Ø Two former senior diplomats will attend
talks(meeting) on the Afghanistan peace
process to be held in Russia.
Ø The talks, known as the “Moscow format” will
include a “high-level” delegation from the
Taliban as well as a delegation of
Afghanistan’s “High Peace Council”, along
with representatives of 12 countries.
Ø This is the first time an Indian delegation has
been present at the table with the Taliban
representatives based in Doha.
Ø US and Pakistan to send their representatives
too.
Russian Federation
Ø Afghanistan is on the western side of India.
Ø Afghanistan is landlocked in a unique way by
countries which are a good source of natural
resources.
Ø If India wants oil from Turkmenistan, then it
has to pass through Afghanistan, Pakistan
cause pipeline will be laid that way.
Afghanistan
Ø Many great emperors (like Britain, USSR)
found Afghanistan very attractive for various
purposes and its geographical place.
Ø Special name is given to Afghanistan: The
Graveyard Of Empires.
Ø Afghanistan is good for geopolitical boosting.
Ø Every empire got failed in Afghanistan.
Ø Many emperors tried to establish their power in
Afghanistan.
Ø When USSR started invasion of Pakistan ,
Afghanistan thought their number is next
Invasion Of Afghanistan
Ø U.S.S.R in Afghanistan – The Soviet–Afghan
War lasted over nine years, from December
1979 to February 1989.
Ø The USSR lost in this war.
Ø Afghanistan was a graveyard for the USSR.
NOTES :

21
Ø For ten years The USSR worked hard to
establish themselves but failed.
Ø The USSR has land borders with Afghanistan.
The Taliban
Ø The United States invasion of Afghanistan
occurred after the September 11 attacks in late
2001, supported by close US allies.
Ø The conflict is also known as the U.S. war in
Afghanistan.
Ø Its public aims were to dismantle al-Qaeda, and
to deny it a safe base of operations in
Afghanistan by removing the Taliban from
power.
Ø When USSR came to Afghanistan, then USA
helped the Taliban.
Ø USA provided funding for the various terrorist
group.
Ø USA financially supported the groups like the
Taliban , they fought with the USSR and lead
the Taliban.
From 2001 to 2018 USA has thrown bombs at
Afghanistan but nothing happened.
2018 – Who Controls Afghanistan
Dark color part shows the severe effect of The Taliban.
Growing of the Taliban is not good for other nearby
countries.
What To Do Next?
The U.S is running out of options.
Severe bombing in last 2 years.
There is no effect on the Taliban, it’s effect is increasing
day by day.
Moscow Format 2018
Ø Moscow Format – 2nd meeting initiated by
Russia on the issue of Taliban in Afghanistan.
Ø 12 participants – China, Pakistan, Iran, India,
Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan,
Afghanistan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan,
Russia and U.S + Representatives of Taliban.
India And Taliban
Ø India sent two former diplomats as “non-
official” participants at the recent “Moscow
format” multilateral meeting that included
Taliban delegates.
Ø The Indian government-nominated
representatives sharing the table with a Taliban
delegation for the first time are notable.
Ø India Participated in this Moscow Meeting
unofficially that is India can make a u turn
whenever the Taliban gets suppressed in the
coming time.
India’s Representatives:
Amar Sinha and TCA Raghavan as its representatives.
While Mr. Sinha was ambassador to Kabul (2013-2016),
Mr. Raghavan has held senior posts in the Ministry of
External Affairs dealing with Afghanistan and Pakistan
and was High Commissioner to Islamabad (2013-2015)
and is currently the Director General of the government-
run Indian Council of World Affairs (ICWA) think-tank
based in Delhi.
What Was India’s Traditional Position?
Ø India was among the countries that had refused
to recognize the Taliban regime of 1996-2001.
Ø India watched Taliban’s growth with concern,
assessing early that it was being driven by
Pakistan’s army and the ISI.
Ø We can’t ignore the Taliban.
Russia’s Great Game?
Ø Russia’s ambition to re-assert itself in the
southern part of Central Asia and Afghanistan
in particular.
Ø The Taliban also benefited from the
conference: for the first time its representatives
participated in a forum organized by a
permanent member of the UN Security
Council.
NOTES :

22
UPSC PERSPECTIVE : For Prelims Facts Related To
WHO And WHO –FCTC and important For GS Paper 3
And GS Paper 2 For Mains.
Framework Convention on Tobacco Control of WHO,
Indian Cabinet approves accession to the Protocol:
The Cabinet has given approval for India to accede to the
Protocol under WHO Framework Convention on
Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) to eliminate unlawful
trade in tobacco products.
India said it will also be the part of this protocol.
WHO (World Health Organization)
• Specialized agency of united nations.
• Related to public health.
• Established on 7 April 1998 headquartered in
Geneva, Switzerland.
ABOUT THIS TREATY
• The Framework Convention on Tobacco
Control (FCTC) is the world’s first modern-
day global public health treaty.
• It is also the first treaty negotiated under the
auspices of the World Health Organization
(WHO).
• The treaty entered into force in February 2005.
It was signed by 168 of the 192 WHO member
states.
VERY IMPORTANT INTERNATIONAL TREATY
:
The FCTC provides an internationally coordinated
response to combating the tobacco epidemic and sets out
specific steps for governments addressing tobacco use,
including:
• Adopting tax and price measures to reduce
tobacco consumption (putting tax on tobacco,
which consumed in large amount which will
directly result in less tobacco consumption)
• Banning tobacco advertising, promotion, and
sponsorship
• Creating smoke-free work and public spaces
• Putting prominent health warnings on tobacco
packages
• Combating illicit trade in tobacco products
One of the key tobacco supply reduction strategies
contained in Article 15 of WHO FCTC envisages
elimination of all forms of illicit trade and tobacco
products, including smuggling, illicit manufacturing
through
Solution :
Supply chain control measures to be adopted by the
parties viz. licensing of manufacture of tobacco products
and machinery for manufacturing of tobacco products,
due diligence to be kept by those engaged in production,
record keeping.
NOTE
• The protocol lists out offenses, enforcement
measures such as seizures and disposal of
seized products.
• It calls for international cooperation in
information sharing, maintaining
confidentiality, training, technical assistance,
and cooperation in scientific and technical and
technological matters.
NOTES :

23
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
UPSC Perspective : GS3 - science & technology
Why in news ?
• ISRO launched rocket PSLV-C43 carrying
India’s earth observation satellite
Hyperspectral Imaging Satellite (HysIS) and
30 co-passenger satellites from Sriharikota on
November 29.
• The co-passengers of HySIS include one
micro and 29 nano satellites from eight
different countries.
Ø About HySIS :
• HysIS is ISRO's first full-scale working
satellite with Hyper-spectral imaging
capability.
• The satellite have been projected into a polar
synchronous orbit.
• The space agency tested hyperspectral imaging
technology in April 2008, a small 83-kg
demonstration microsatellite called IMS-1
(Indian Mini Satellite-1) was launched as a
secondary passenger with Cartosat-2A.
• In October, 2008, it put a HySI or
Hyperspectral Imager on the Chandrayaan-1
and used it to scan Moon's surface for minerals.
Significance of HySIS
• The primary goal of HySIS is to study the
Earth’s surface in visible, near-infrared and
shortwave infrared regions of the
electromagnetic spectrum.
• Hyperspectral imaging satellite can see in 55
spectral or colour bands from 630 km above
ground.
• ‘Hyspex’ imaging allows distinct identification
of objects, materials or processes on Earth by
reading the spectrum for each pixel of a scene
from space.
• It can be highly useful in marking out a suspect
object or person and separate it from the
background. This could aid in detecting
transborder or other stealthy movements.
• It can be used for a range of activities from
monitoring the atmospheric activity and
climate change, studies of Earth’s magnetic
field, agriculture, forestry, water
management, coastal patterns, looking for
oil and minerals all the way up to military
surveillance
PRELIMS Bits : PSLV v/s GSLV :
• About the PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch
Vehicle):
ü PSLV is used for delivering various satellites
to Low Earth Orbits. It is designed mainly to
deliver the “earth-observation” or “remote-
sensing” satellites.
ü Due to their sun-synchronism nature, these
orbits are also referred to as “Low Earth Orbit
(LEO)” which enables the on-board camera to
take images of the earth under the same sun-
illumination conditions during each of the
repeated visits, the satellite makes over the
same area on ground thus making the satellite
useful for earth resources monitoring.
ü Apart from launching the remote sensing
satellites to Sun-synchronous polar orbits, the
PSLV is also used to launch the satellites of
lower lift-off mass of up to about 1400 Kg to
the elliptical Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit
(GTO).
ü PSLV is a four-staged launch vehicle with
first and third stage using solid rocket motors
and second and fourth stages using liquid
rocket engines.
ü The PSLV is one of world's most reliable
launch vehicles. It has been in service for over
twenty years and has launched various
satellites for historic missions like
Chandrayaan-1, Mars Orbiter Mission, Space
Capsule Recovery Experiment, Indian
Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS)
etc. PSLV remains a favorite among various
organization’s as a launch service provider and
has launched over 40 satellites for 19 countries.
• About the GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite
Launch Vehicle):
ü GSLV's primary payloads are communication
satellites of INSAT class (about 2,500 kg
mass) that operate from Geostationary orbits
(about 36000 km) and hence are placed in
Geosynchronous Transfer Orbits by GSLV.
ü Due to their geo-synchronous nature, the
satellites in these orbits appear to remain
permanently fixed in the same position in
the sky, as viewed from a particular location
on Earth, thus avoiding the need of a tracking
ground antenna and hence are useful for the
communication applications.
ü Two versions of the GSLV are being
developed by ISRO. The first version, GSLV
Mark-II, has the capability to launch satellites
of lift-off mass of up to 2,500 kg to the GTO
and satellites of up to 5,000 kg lift-off mass to
the LEO and second, GSLV MK-III is a 3
staged vehicle with first stage using solid
rocket motor, second stage using liquid fuel
and the third stage, called Cryogenic Upper
Stage, using cryogenic engine.

24
UPSC PERSPECTIVE
Important for Mains and Prelims both
Mains GS Paper 3: Science & Technology - Awareness
in the fields of IT, Space, Computers, robotics,
nanotechnology, bio-technology.
India’s Astrosat Helps in Finding Blackhole
2018 November ISRO's AstroSat and NASA's Chandra
X-Ray Observatory spotted a Black Hole.
India’s first dedicated astronomy satellite, the AstroSat
spotted a black hole in the binary star system called 4U
1630-47 that’s spinning close to the maximum speed
possible.
NASA’s Chandra X-Ray Observatory confirmed the
high spin rate.
A black hole, which is an exotic but a very simple
astronomical object, is created when a massive star dies
and the matter gets squeezed into a tiny space under a
heavy force of gravity, trapping in the light.
Spinning Blackhole
Black holes are rare, difficult to spot and they don't spin
fast.
This particular black hole known as ‘monster black
hole’ is spinning very close to the limit set by Albert
Einstein’s theory of relativity Currently.
Scientists only have two ways of measuring black holes
– either by their mass or by their spin rate , still this is
not the correct way to measure black holes.
And, a spin rate can be anywhere between 0(min) and
1(max).
This black hole was spinning at the rate of 0.9 very
close to maximum.
It rotates at one of the highest speeds ever recorded.
NASA and ISRO Found A Black Hole That Rotates So
Fast That It Can Spin Space
Black Hole Mystery
Einstein’s theory further implies that if a black hole
spinning that fast, then it is capable of making space
itself rotate.
In fact, if the conditions around black holes are
hypothesized to be correct, then the high spin rate
couple with the gaseous elements entering the black hole
and high temperatures, could be the key to
understanding how galaxies are formed.
A black hole is smaller than a star, but they are very
dense and very heavy and can suck light.
The team of researchers, whose study will be published
in The Astrophysical Journal, stressed that the finding is
important because it tests the theory of relativity and, in
general, shed more light on how the Universe works and
how the galaxies formed.
NOTES :

25
Significance Of Discovery
• Including the black hole discovered by the
AstroSat, there are only five black holes have
accurately measured high spin rates.
• Even if you’re not taking spin rates into account,
this black hole of one of only 20 others that have
been spotted in the Milky Way Galaxy.
Astrosat-Chandra Study
• This first cooperation of India and US is using
AstroSat and Chandra satellites regarding black
hole studies should open up ways for future such
collaborations.
• The SXT and the Large Area X-ray Proportional
Counter (LAXPC) aboard the first dedicated Indian
astronomy satellite AstroSat played a key role to
measure the black hole spin rate, which was
consistent with results from our contemporaneous
Chandra satellite data.
• In the long term it will benefit ISRO (India).
• It is an opportunity for India.
• NASA will not work with China's space agency.
More About Astrosat
AstroSat was launched in 2015 by the Indian Space
Research Organization (ISRO).
A lifetime of ASTROSAT is 5 years that is up to 2020.
1. The UV Imaging Telescope
2. The Scanning Sky Monitor
3. The Cadmium-Zinc-Telluride Imager
4. The Soft X-ray Telescope, and
5. Three identical Large Area Xenon Proportional
Counters
Chandra X-Ray Observatory
• The Chandra X-ray Observatory (CXO),
previously known as the Advanced X-ray
Astrophysics Facility (AXAF), is a Flagship-
class space observatory launched on STS-93 by
NASA on July 23, 1999.
• Chandra is one of the Great Observatories,
along with the Hubble Space Telescope,
Compton Gamma Ray Observatory (1991–
2000), and the Spitzer Space Telescope.
• The telescope is named after the Nobel Prize
winning Indian-American astrophysicist
Subrahmanyam Chandrasekhar.
NOTES :

26
With INS Arihant, India is now Nuclear Triad
Nation
Perspective of UPSC – GS paper 1, Mains, India’s
Defense
What Is It About Currently:
INS Arihant, India’s first nuclear ballistic missile
submarine has completed its first deterrence petrol on
November 6, 2018. It means, the submarine is fully
operational and if deployed, can target the adversaries
of India.
INS Arihant (Slayer of the Enemies):
Ø Builder: Shipbuilding Centre (SBC),
Vishakhapatnam, India
Ø Launched: July 26, 2009 (on Vijay Diwas,
Kargil Victory Day)
Ø Acquired: December 13, 2014, Commissioned:
August 2016
Ø Status: In Service
Ø Displacement: Surface: 6,000 tons
India Announces Complete Nuclear Deterrence:
Nuclear Deterrence –The military doctrine according
to which the possibility that a country will use the
nuclear weapons it possesses in retaliation will deter
an enemy from attacking. Which means that if a
country attacks a country with nuclear weapons, so the
country which faced a nuke attack can retaliate with
the nuclear weapons, which may stall and avert those
wars involving nukes.
Deterrence Patrol:
A Cold War-era practice where nuclear-armed
submarines are deployed in waters from where they
can fire on the adversary, if attacked.
Since the Chinese deployment of a nuclear submarine
in 2013 for so-called ‘anti-piracy missions’ off the east
coast of Africa, there has been a firming of belief in
New Delhi that development of the ‘nuclear triad’ — a
stated policy for more than 30 years — must be treated
with urgency.
This places India in the league of the few countries
that can design, construct and operate SSBN.
India’s Stand Now on Deterrence:
Ø India has declared that its nuclear triad, stated
in its nuclear doctrine, is operational. Nuclear Triad –
Capability to fire nuclear weapons from air, land and
sea.
Ø This was after indigenous ballistic missile
nuclear submarine INS Arihant achieved a milestone
by conducting its first deterrence patrol.
Ø It essentially means that Arihant is now
prowling the deep seas carrying ballistic missiles
equipped with nuclear warheads.
Ø The second submarine in the series, Arihant is
now undergoing sea trials after which it will be
inducted into service.
Development of INS Arihant:
Ø INS Arihant, a strategic asset, was developed
for over two decades under the Advanced Technology
Vessel (ATV) program.
Ø INS Arihant is India’s first indigenously-
designed, developed and manufactured nuclear-
powered ballistic missile submarine, and three more
such submarines are reportedly under various stages of
construction.
Ø INS Arihant development project was officially
acknowledged in
1998 and the submarine was launched in 2009.
Ø The nuclear reactor of the submarine went
critical in 2013 and
it was commissioned three years later.
Ø It comes directly under the Nuclear Command
Authority headed by the Prime Minister.
Ø Given India’s stated position of ‘No-First-Use’
(NFU) in launching nuclear weapons, the SSBN is the
most dependable platform for a second-strike.
Ø Because they are powered by nuclear reactors,
these submarines can stay underwater indefinitely
without the adversary detecting it. The other two
platforms: land-based and air-launched are far easier to
detect.
Reliability of INS Arihant:
Ø It comes directly under the Nuclear Command
Authority headed by the Prime Minister.
Ø Given India’s stated position of ‘No-First-Use’
(NFU) in launching nuclear weapons, the SSBN is the
most dependable platform for a second-strike.
Ø Because they are powered by nuclear reactors,
these submarines can stay underwater indefinitely
without the adversary detecting it. The other two
platforms — land-based and air-launched are far easier
to detect.
Ø This places India in the league of the few
countries that can design, construct and operate SSBN.
Chinese Capability:
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN)
is estimated to have four Jin-class SSBNs (ballistic
missile submarines) plus nine SSNs (nuclear-powered

27
submarines). It is estimated to be maintaining a fleet of
40-plus diesel electric submarines.
Notes:
Ø Like India, China also professes a ‘no first
strike’ policy in its nuclear doctrine. It believes that its
maritime capability to launch nuclear weapons
complements its variants of land-based road and rail
launched strategic missiles.
Ø Pakistan's National Security Advisor Sartaj
Aziz defended the policy of first use. Aziz stated that
Pakistan's first use doctrine is entirely deterrent in
nature. He explained that it was effective after the
2001 Indian Parliament attack and argued that if
Pakistan had a no first use policy, there would have
been a major war between the two countries.
Ø Sagarika also known by the code names K-15
or B-05 is a nuclear submarine launched ballistic
missile with a range of 750 kilometers. On November
25, 2015, a dummy or unarmed Sagarika Missile was
successfully test fired from Arihant
India has 14 conventional submarines, half-a-dozen of
which are now going through upgrades of different
kinds. Plus, it has the INS Chakra SSN on a 10-year
lease from Russia, and now the Arihant. At least two
more of the Arihant class are in the works.
But India’s progress on long-range submarine-
launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) is a secret, with
little or no information put out officially. A variant of
the Sagarika missile that arms the Arihant is estimated
to have a range of 750 km. The Chinese JL-2 missiles
that arm its Jin-class SSBNs are said to have a range
upwards of 4,000 miles (over 6,400 kms).
(Scan the QR Code to watch the video)
NOTES :

28
Grooves Moon
UPSC Perspective: Prelims and GS Paper 3 under the
section space technology.
A new study bolsters the idea that strange grooves
crisscrossing the surface of the Martian moon Phobos
were made by rolling boulders.
Cut and depressions of unique pattern on the above
picture.
Ø The research, published in Planetary and Space
Science.
Ø These grooves are a distinctive feature of
Phobos, and how they formed has been debated
by planetary scientists for 40 years.
Ø Phobos’ grooves, which are visible across most
of the moon’s surface, were first glimpsed in
the 1970s by NASA’s Mariner and Viking
missions.
Over the years, there has been no shortage of
explanations put forward for how they formed.
Ø Some scientists have posited that large impacts
on Mars have showered the nearby moon with
groove-carving debris.
Ø Others think that Mars’ gravity is slowly
tearing Phobos apart, and the grooves are signs
of structural failure.
Ø Because of Phobos’ small size and relatively
weak gravity, Phobos has Stickney(crater
(large hole)) stones just keep on rolling, rather
than stopping after a kilometer or so like they
might on a larger body.
Ø In fact, some boulders(very big rocks) would
have rolled and bounded their way all the way
around the tiny moon.
Ø Large boulders or big rocks come out of this
Stickney.
Rocks are moving and due to gravitational force they
will stop after some time
Very less gravitational force in Phobos so rocks cannot
go very far.
That is why grooves are visible in Phobos.
NOTES :

29
What Are Antioxidants? How Antioxidants can
defeat Non Communicable Diseases.
UPSC Perspective : GS Paper
Oxidation: When an electron is donated by atom, then
providing electron to that atom.
Antioxidants further provide electrons to that atom.
Neutralizing the oxidation.
Vitamin E, C, A and the carotenoids such as beta-
carotene, lutein, selenium and lycopene are examples of
the primary antioxidants in your diet.
Antioxidants:
What Are Antioxidants, And How Do They Work?
• All matters in the universe are made of atoms.
• Atoms are composed of a core with protons
and neutrons, and a bunch of electrons that
revolve around the core.
• Atoms combine an make molecules.
• Molecules are made up atoms.
Human body have may atoms present in it change in
atoms (donating of electron) with directly change the
protein and molecules.
Humans and other organisms maintain their structure
and function by chemical reactions.
All the chemical reactions needed to sustain life are
collectively known as metabolism.
• In order for a molecule to be stable, it must
contain the right amount of electrons. If the
molecules lose an electron when it is not
supposed to, it can turn a free radical.
• Free radicals are unstable, electrically charged
molecules in the cells, that can react with other
molecules (like DNA) and damage them.
• They can even form a chain reaction and
convert other molecules into free radicals.
• Antioxidants provide extra electron to the free
radical.
• EXTRA free radicals are then converted into
the body as stable molecule.
• The negative impact of free radicals is
decreased by this.
Antioxidants And Free Radicals Are Both Important
• Free radical kills the bacteria in our body and
they are very important for us.
• Free radicals are important for our immunity
and kill the bacteria.
• If free radical are in the large amount then they
will damage our body
NOTES :

30
UPSC Perspective
Very important for prelims 2019 or 2020
NASA Retires Kepler Space Telescope:
• NASA launched the Kepler Space Telescope in
2009.
• It was NASA’s first planet - hunting mission.
• It was named after German mathematician and
astronomer Johannes Kepler.
• During its over nine year life, Kepler had
observed 530,506 stars and detected 2,662
planets.
Kepler Space Telescope:
It used transit photometry detection method for
searching for excellence, which looked for periodic,
repetitive dips in visible light of stars caused by planets
passing or transiting in front in front of its host star.
Transit Detection Method:
• If any star has a planet, then the star will orbit
that planet.
• Using Kepler, which is used to check that,
whenever the planet will come in front of the
star, how much star’s light it will cut for
Kepler.
• From there we can check what type of planet it
is.
Goldilocks zone states that star and planet should have a
perfect distance between them.
Exoplanet
Kepler’s work was to find exoplanets.
It is a planet that does not orbit the Sun and instead
orbits a different star, stellar remnant, or a brown dwarf.
It is also termed as an extrasolar planet.
The first such planet orbiting star similar to our own Sun
was detected only in 1995.
Today, some 3,600 exoplanets have been found, ranging
from rocky Earth-sized planets to large gas giants like
Jupiter.
After Kepler What's Next?
The Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS) is a
space telescope for NASA’s Explorers program,
designed to search for exoplanets using the transit
method in an area 400 times larger than that covered by
the Kepler mission.
While Kepler had cost US$640 million at launch, TESS
cost only US$200 million (plus US$87 million for
launch).
NOTES :

31
What Is It In News?
On November 14, 2018, ISRO launched the
communication satellite GSAT-29 on board its second
developmental flight GSLV-Mk III D2 (launch vehicle
used) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at
Sriharikota (Andhra Pradesh)
Specifications Of GSAT-29
• Weighing 3,423 kg at lift-off, GSAT-29 is the
heaviest satellite to be launched from India.
• With a mission life (life span) of 10 years, it is
the 33rd communication satellite built by
ISRO.
• According to ISRO, “GSAT-29 is a multi-
beam, multiband communication satellite.”
• Communication like through internet,
telephonic communication.
• Its payloads are designed to mainly focus on
connectivity to the users in the hilly and
geographically inaccessible areas, especially
those in Jammu & Kashmir and North Eastern
regions of India.
• It will improve the connectivity between the
inaccessible areas.
• It also carries a Geo High-Resolution Camera
to aid in high-resolution imaging.
• For the first time, an optical communication
payload will be utilized for data transmission at
a very high rate.A combination of high
throughput satellites -- GSAT-19, GSAT-29,
GSAT-11 and GSAT-20 -- would provide the
high speed internet needed for the success of
the Digital India programme.
Specifications Of GSLV MK III
What is the difference between GSLV and PSLV?
PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) and GSLV
(Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle) are the
satellite-launch vehicles (rockets) developed by ISRO.
PSLV
• PSLV is designed mainly to deliver the “earth
observation” or “remote-sensing” satellites
with liftoff mass of up to about 1750 Kg.
• PSLV is a four-staged launch vehicle with first
and third stage using solid rocket motors and
second and fourth stages using liquid rocket
engines.
• Some notable payloads launched by PSLV
include India's first lunar probe Chandrayaan-
1, India's first interplanetary mission, the Mars
Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) and India's first
space observatory, AstroSat.GSLV
• The GSLV is designed mainly to deliver the
communication-satellites to the highly
elliptical (typically 250 x 36000 Km)
Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).
• GSLV MK III - GSLV Mk III is a three-stage
heavy lift launch vehicle developed by ISRO.
• The vehicle has two solid strap-ons, a core
liquid booster and a cryogenic upper stage.
NOTES :

32
POLITY
CBI vs CBI Controversy, Reforms for CBI
About the CBI:
§ CBI is the premier investigative agency in the
country.
§ Was set up by a resolution of Ministry of Home
Affairs in 1963 after Santhanam Committee
recommendations.
§ Agency’s origins are to the Special Police
Establishment, a Central Government Police, in
1946 by the Government of India.
§ Superintendent of CBI rests with CVC in
corruptions and with Department of Personnel and
Training in other matters.
• H.Q. –New Delhi. Motto - Industry, Impartiality,
Integrity
Predicaments of the Agency:
Political Pressure:
• Though less than 10 percent of the cases have
political intertwinements, and there is some truth in
charge of politicization of investigations.
• So, there is strong need of the reliable team
unyielding to the external pressures when it
conerns with the high profile investigations.
Delayed Closures:
• Several cases are still in doldrums and these delays
in the investigations smear the agency’s credibility.
Unpopular as Medium of Employment:
• Working in the CBI is not very popular among the
youths today, as the getting a job in the agency is a
tough job
Compulsory State Coordination:
• Since, CBI acts according to the CrPC (Code of
Criminal Procedure), it becomes like police. Since
Police is in the State List of the constitution, it
becomes the matter of state also and the agency
need to take permission from the state government.
• In such situations, an issue of consent or
authorization with the state arises case by case.
Sometimes it get delayed to attain approvals from
the states which hamper the investigations.
Supreme Court Judgment on Autonomy of the CBI:
Ø In Vineet Narain case, SC suggested to make the
CBI independent.
Ø SC stated that the Director of CBI should be
appointed by a committee, which must be
comprised of:
Central Vigilance Commissioner – Head of the
committee, Home Secretary and Secretary in DoPT
(Dept. of Personnel and Training) as its members.
Ø Earlier SC gave a moniker to the CBI, a ‘Caged
Parrot with many Masters’ on account of political
interference in CBI’s functioning.
Government Initiatives:
• Governments facilitated the CBI with CBI Courts
for effective prosecution, a separate court.
• Exempted from the consultation with the UPSC
(Union Public Service Commission) for
recruitment of the post of DSPs for a period of 3
years in 2017.
• Advanced Certified Courses for CBI officers to
enhance their investigation skills, forensic data
collection, collection of evidences, etc. by training
from National Law School of India University and
IIM Bangalore.
• Various Schemes for Modernization of training
centers in CBI.
NOTES :

33
Withdrawal Of General Consent
The Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal governments
recently withdrew general consent to the CBI for
investigating cases in their respective states.
CBI will not be able to open fresh cases in Andhra
Pradesh and West Bengal in for time being.
What Is The Reason Behind?
Ø The two state governments said that they had
lost faith in the CBI in the backdrop of its
internal turmoil marked by the open war
among the agency’s top officers.
Ø They have also alleged that the Centre is using
the CBI to unfairly target Opposition parties.
Ø However, the Centre argues that there is no
sovereignty for any state in the matter of
corruption.
Ø It accuses the states that this was motivated by
a general fear of what investigations might
reveal rather than by any particular case.
What Is a General Consent?
Law and order are the state subjects .The CBI is
governed by the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act
that makes consent of a state government mandatory for
conducting investigation in that state.
CBI needs consent of states to investigate in a particular
state.
Ø There are two kinds of consent in the form of
case specific consent and general consent(CBI
can file a case on anyone)
Ø Central government through notification can
ask the CBI to investigate against central
government employees against Income tax
violations, conspiracy against nation, spying
etc.
Notes:
Ø As law and order belong to the states, all states
normally gave a general consent to CBI for
these investigations.
Ø “General consent” is normally given to help the
CBI seamlessly conduct its investigation into
cases of corruption against central government
employees in the concerned state.
Ø For example, if CBI wanted to investigate a
bribery charge against a Western Railway clerk
in Mumbai, it would have to apply for consent
to the Maharashtra government before
registering a case against him.
Withdrawal Of A Consent
Ø Withdrawal of a consent means that the CBI
will not be able to register any fresh case
involving a central government official or a
private person without getting case-specific
consent of the states.
Ø This shows that a general consent is not
sufficient enough to investigate and CBI has to
get case-specific consent of the states.
Ø It simply means that CBI officers will lose all
powers of a police officer as soon as they enter
the state unless the state government has
allowed them.
Ø It also makes them to seek permission of the
state government for every case and every
search it conducted on central government
employees.
Ø Over the years, several states have withdrawn
general consent, including Sikkim, Nagaland,
Chhattisgarh and Karnataka, which stands out
as an example of the recent move.
CBI Can No Longer Probe Any Case In The Two
States?
Ø The general consent has been withdrawn from
the two states under Section 6 of the Delhi
Special Police Establishment Act, 1946.
Ø Section 6 of the Act bars any member of the
Delhi Special Police Establishment to exercise
powers and jurisdiction in any area in a State,
without the consent of the Government of that
State.
CBI Can No Longer Probe Any Case In The Two
States?
Ø However, the CBI would still have the power
to investigate old cases registered when general
consent existed.
Ø Also, cases registered anywhere else in the
country, but involving people stationed in
Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal, would allow
CBI’s jurisdictions to extend to these states.
Ø There is ambiguity on whether the agency can
carry out a search in either of the two states in
connection with an old case without the
consent of the state government.
What Happens In Fresh Cases?
Ø Withdrawal of consent will only bar the CBI
from registering a case within the jurisdiction
of Andhra and Bengal.
Ø The CBI could still file cases in Delhi and
continue to probe people inside the two states.
Ø The Delhi High Court has made it clear
recently that the agency can probe anyone in a
state that has withdrawn “general consent” if
the case is not registered in that state.
Ø The order was given with regard to a case of
corruption in Chhattisgarh, which also gives
consent on a case-to-case basis.
Bottom Line
Ø Thus, if a state government believes that the
ruling party’s ministers or members could be
targeted by CBI on orders of the Centre, and
that withdrawal of general consent would
protect them, it would be a wrong assumption.
Ø CBI could still register cases in Delhi, which
would require some part of the offense being

34
connected with Delhi and still arrest and
prosecute ministers or MPs.
UPSC Perspective: Mains GS Paper 2
What is Private Member Bill in Indian Parliament?
As the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid pot bubbled ---
nominated Member of Rajya Sabha Rakesh Sinha said
he would bring a private member’s Bill “on the Ram
Temple”.
India democracy is a parliamentary form of democracy
having three pillars :
• Legislature : Law making body
• Executive : Implementing the law
• Judiciary : Law is in proper structure or not .
An Example
Suppose we have to make law related to transport then
the content will be made by the ministry of transport
which will further approved by cabinet ministry.
Ministers are part of the parliament they will introduce
that bill in parliament if that bill gets passed in the
parliament it will be approved as an act.
Two people can do this
Any MP who is not a Minister is referred to as a private
member. Parliament’s key role is to debate and make
laws. Both Ministers and private members contribute to
the lawmaking process.
Bills introduced by Ministers are referred to as
government bills. They are backed by the government
and reflect its legislative agenda.
Private member’s bills are piloted by non-Minister MPs.
Their purpose is to draw the government’s attention to
what individual MPs see as issues and gaps in the
existing legal framework, which require legislative
intervention.
MP’S are given freedom to make law known as a private
member’s bill for helping out the local people.
Rajya Sabha And Lok Sabha
• The admissibility of a private member’s Bill is
decided by the Rajya Sabha Chairman.
• In the case of the Lok Sabha, it is the Speaker;
the procedure is roughly the same for both
Houses.
The Member must give at least a month’s notice before
the Bill can be listed for introduction; the House
secretariat examines it for compliance with
NOTES :

35
constitutional provisions and rules on legislation before
listing.
Rajya Sabha Secretariat and Lok Sabha Secretariat
They provide administrative support to Lok Sabha and
Rajya Sabha.
Secretariat’s keep a check whether the rules are being
followed or not.
Further followed by Rajya Sabha Chairman and Lok
Sabha’s Speaker whether the bill should be allowed or
not.
The Private Member’s Bill In Rajya Sabha
Ø Rajya Sabha draws a ballot to decide the
sequence of discussion of Bills. If a Bill is
successful in the ballot, it has to wait for the
discussion to conclude on a Bill currently being
debated by the House.
Ø Over the last three years, Rajya Sabha saw the
introduction of 165 private member’s Bills;
discussion was concluded on only 18.
Ø A private member’s Bill that is introduced, but
not discussed in Rajya Sabha, lapses when
Member retires.
Ø Upon conclusion of the discussion, the
Member piloting the Bill can either withdraw it
at the request of the Minister concerned, or he
may choose to press ahead with its passage.
Ø In the latter case, the Bill is put to vote and, if
the private member gets the support of the
House, it is passed.
Ø In 1977, Rajya Sabha passed a private
member’s Bill to amend the Aligarh Muslim
University Act.
NOTE
Ø Up to 1997, private members could introduce
up to three Bills in a week. This led to a piling
up of Bills that were introduced but never
discussed; Chairman K R Narayanan,
therefore, capped the number of private
member’s Bills to three per session reducing
the work burden.
Ø While government Bills can be introduced and
discussed on any day, the private member’s
Bills can be introduced and discussed only on
Fridays.
Ø The Private member’s Bills have been
introduced and discussed in Rajya Sabha on 20
days in the last three years.
Ø The Private member’s Bills not given much
importance
Ø On the scheduled Friday, the private member
moves a motion for the introduction of the Bill,
which is usually not opposed.
Ø Only a fraction of private member’s bills that
are introduced, are taken up for discussion.
NOTES :

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