UPSC Must Read News Articles – May 28th, 2019

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BIMSTEC heads invited to PM’s swearing-in

India has invited several heads of state, including those from the Bay of Bengal community (BIMSTEC) and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s swearing-in ceremony on May 30.

India among countries where women face most violence by partner

Global estimates published by the World Health Organization (WHO) indicate that about 1 in 3 (35%) women worldwide have experienced either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or non-partner sexual violence in their lifetime

In joint family, brother-in-law has liability to pay maintenance to domestic violence victim: SC

The Supreme Court has held that even the brother-in-law has a liability to pay maintenance to a victim under the Domestic Violence Act if they had lived together under the same roof in a shared household as part of a joint family at any point of time.

Athena and LISA missions

Overview: 

Researchers have proposed to combine the observing power of two future ESA missions, Athena and LISA, to study the effects when two supermassive black holes collide. Currently in the study phase, both missions are scheduled for launch in the early 2030s.

 History:

Supermassive black holes, with masses ranging from millions to billions of Suns, sit at the core of most massive galaxies across the Universe. We don’t know exactly how these huge, enormously dense objects took shape, nor what triggers a fraction of them to start devouring the surrounding matter at extremely intense rates, radiating copiously across the electromagnetic spectrum and turning their host galaxies into ‘active galactic nuclei’.

None of The Above (NOTA) votes

Overview: 

Election Commission has release a report on NOTA votes cast in recent elections.

 Key findings:

• Bihar registered the maximum None of The Above (NOTA) votes of about 8 lakh, with the highest share of 5.04% reported from the Gopalganj constituency.
• The high NOTA percentage was an indicator that people were frustrated with the state of affairs in their constituency, did not find any of the candidates worthy enough and therefore, even after reaching the polling station, decided to press the NOTA button.
• In Andhra Pradesh, the fourth highest NOTA figure of 4.46%, involving 47,977 voters, was recorded in Araku and in only five constituencies of the State, was it below 1%.

Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO)

Overview: 

The Second Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Mass Media Forum is being held at Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

• The Forum aims to strengthen the exchange and cooperation in the field of mass media amongst SCO countries.
• It offers a unique platform for active work through mass media to create an objective vision of the organization and strengthen its positive image in the global information space.
• The representative of state bodies supervising mass media of the SCO countries (Member States, Observer Countries, Dialogue Partners); representatives of leading mass media of the SCO countries and representatives of the SCO Secretariat are participating in the Forum.

Open market Operations (OMO)

Overview: 

The Reserve Bank of India is planning to inject Rs. 15,000 crore into the financial system next month through purchase of government bonds via the auction route.

The government securities will be bought under open market operations (OMO). The decision has been taken in view of the evolving liquidity situation.

What is OMO?

Open market operations is the sale and purchase of government securities and treasury bills by RBI or the central bank of the country.

The objective of OMO is to regulate the money supply in the economy.

The EQUIP project

Overview: 

Ministry of Human Resource Development plans to launch an ambitious ₹1.5 lakh crore EQUIP project to improve the quality and accessibility of higher education over the next five years.

Salient features:

EQUIP stands for the Education Quality Upgradation and Inclusion Programme and was crafted by ten committees led by experts within the government.

Aims: EQUIP is meant to bridge the gap between policy and implementation. The project is made to bring transformation in the higher education system in the upcoming 5 years.

Unlawful activities (Prevention) Act

Overview: 

Bangladesh-based terror outfit — the Jamaat-ul-Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) — has been banned by the Centre under the anti-terror law UAPA.

 About the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA):

• This law is aimed at effective prevention of unlawful activities associations in India.
• Its main objective is to make powers available for dealing with activities directed against the integrity and sovereignty of India.
• The Act makes it a crime to support any secessionist movement or to support claims by a foreign power to what India claims as its territory.

UPSC Must Read News Articles – May 27th, 2019

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NIMHANS battery can assess disabilities: govt.

The Centre has told the Delhi High Court that learning disabilities can be diagnosed by National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) battery, a tool that can ascertain the degree of disability.

Auditors to check Sabarimala register

The local fund audit wing of the Kerala government will be scrutinising the register (Thiruvabharanam Register) showing the stock of gold and silver offered by devotees to the Ayyappa temple at Sabarimala over the past several years.

Central varsities asked to notify vacancies within 100 days

The government has asked all Central universities to notify their faculty vacancies within the next 100 days.

Quote of the Day

"Sometimes glass glitters more than diamonds because it has more to prove."

Quote of the Day

"Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy." - Anne Frank.

UPSC Must Read News Articles – May 16th, 2019

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Global Drug Survey: Indians lead world in seeking help to reduce drugs intake

A global survey of recreational drug-use, which for the first time polled respondents from India, has found that Indians — more than from other nationalities — are seeking help to reduce their alcohol intake.

Pest-struck Mizoram farmers hit by lack of crop insurance

Crops of Mizoram farmers which have been struck by an attack of fall armyworm (FAW), are not insured.

Maharashtra demands 3 tmcft water in return for supply to Karnataka

Facing an unprecedented drought situation, the Maharashtra government has demanded 3 tmcft of water from Karnataka.

From 2020, CBSE Class-X English, Mathematics to have new improved pattern

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is planning to introduce several changes in the pattern of English and Mathematics examinations for Class X from 2020.

CBSE has called the upcoming move 'learner-centric,' and it hopes to decrease the burden of the students.

While the notice is currently available to the affiliated schools only, it will be out for the general public soon.

CBSE to introduce two-leveled examination worth 20 and 80 marks

According to the new changes, the exam will take place in two-levels instead of a single exam of 100 marks, which has been the format until now.

The 4 Do's and Don'ts for UPSC Civil Services exam preparation

The Indian Civil Services are a dream for lakhs and many spend years preparing to crack the UPSC Civil Services Examination.

It is one of the toughest exams but one can clear the IAS exam with the right preparation. Most candidates don't get qualified because of flaws in preparation and pay a heavy price.

So, here are some dos and don'ts of UPSC preparation.

The different stages of UPSC Civil Services Exam

UPSC CSE is conducted in three stages: Preliminary examination (Prelims), Main exam (Mains), and Personality Test (IAS Interview).

UPSC Must Read News Articles – May 7th, 2019

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Sabarimala revamp plans still remain in paper

Sabarimala Master Plan projects are yet to be implemented and the pilgrims are unlikely to get more amenities at Sabarimala and in the foothills of Pampa during the upcoming pilgrim season

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Justice Bobde panel gives CJI a clean chit

The Justice S.A. Bobde in-house committee has found “no substance” in the sexual harassment allegations levelled by a former Supreme Court staff member against Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi

SC dismisses plea on traffic restriction in J&K

The Supreme Court has dismissed a plea challenging the Jammu and Kashmir government’s order restricting civilian traffic for a day in a week on a stretch of the National Highway from Udhampur to Baramulla for the movement of security forces.