General Studies Civil Services: Both Prelims/Mains: June 2009

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

CTC vesus PRIS: A Debate

A few months back, I got a chance to listen to a young IPS officer who was hardly for three years in service. She passed a very strong remark that the government pays pittance for the quantum of the job they have to perform in the field.

The debate is there that how much a public servant should receive. After the sixth pay commission, there can be questions in interviews about the pay to civil servants and the issue of Performance related incentives. In case of corporate world, where the employees still get more than a civil servant, the basis is cost ratio or the Cost to the Company factor. In interview, this question is generally asked. Most of the magazines put this question to the successful candidates that why they have preferred civil services over the corporate jobs when there is big different in payment of emoluments.

The following link is by Jug Suraiya on such an issue. It is a mere an opinion. But it can be read to form one's own answer for such questions.

Jug Suraiya view at
Juggle-Bandhi:Jug Suraiya's blog-The Times Of India

Justice Liberhan Commission

The post is made as it will take you to an article in The Hindu which has given further topic on Liberhan Commission and Babri Masjid.

Use the link:
The Hindu News Update Service

Social Policies of the Assam Government

Social Policies of the government is definitely a topic which should be developed separately. Such topics are difficult to prepare and find place in the written GS Mains. It is a case of a State government adopting a social policy attending to the local issue.

Source:
Gogoi to girls: Marry after 20, get Rs 10,000- Hindustan Times

HR Bhardwaj. Governor of Karnataka

Prepare a brief note on H. R. Bhardwaj, presently the Governor of Karnataka.

Source:
Bhardwaj takes charge as Karnataka guv - Bangalore - Cities - The Times of India

On Again, Off Again Foreign relations

The visit of Foreign Affairs Minister to Japan is important from new activity in Indo Japan relations. It has many dimensions which are suggested in the following relations. With recent BRIC and SOC interaction with the PM and the new trilateral relations with China, US and Japan and also the Indian Nuclear programme are covered in the report. It is good single report to develop the perspective on the India Far East Policy.

Link to be used:
Krishna to visit Japan, China high on agenda - India - The Times of India

Bhutani PM, Jigme Yoser Thinley visits India

Bhutani PM Jigme Yoser Thinley visits India. India has developed hydel projects. The relations with the immediate neighbours are important issues which are now regularly appearing in the Mains GS.

Use the link: (Mere declaration however, Bhutan India should be the topic)
Bhutan liberalizes FDI laws to attract Indian investors- Foreign Trade-Economy-News-The Economic Times: "Jigme Yoser Thinley"

First Bridge over sea in India

On June 30, 2009, the first bridge over sea in India was started between Bandra and Worli. The bridge is over Arabian Sea.
The following reports can be used for making notes on different aspects of the architecture marvel in India.
Rate it highly important for October 2009 and 2010 Prelims.

Links for use:
BBC NEWS | South Asia | India sea link bridge set to open
Bandra World Sea Link

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Parthi Bhatol re-elected chairman of GCMMF

Parthi Bhathol has been elected the chairman of the Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation. (A point: The Federation is the owner of the popular brand Amul. The chairman of the Federation had appeared as question when Kurien was the chairman) Not of much importance but maintain it in notes under the Indian Personalities in news.

Source to be used.
Parthi Bhatol unanimously re-elected chairman of GCMMF

IPC 377 and Issues

Make note only the applicability of the IPC 377 and offences related to it.

Source to be used:

A first for gay pride in India? Sec 377 may go - India - The Times of India

Friday, June 26, 2009

Michael Jackson

Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009): an American recording artist and entertainer died on June 25, 2009.

Wikipedia Reference:
Michael Jackson - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sony site: Michael Jackson official Site

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Essay on Judicial Reform

Essay: Judicial Reform - Need of the hour by M. L. Dhar.

Can be accessed at
PIB Press Release As accessed on June 25, 2009. If the link does not work then check the PIB site.

Banking as an Agency for NREGs.

National Rural Employment Guarantee schemed ensuring 100 days employment is a success story by now. It is a topic which must be prepared.
The following report makes one point on how to improve the NREGs.

Source to be used:
UPA set to take banking to grassroots - India - The Times of India

India's older population to quadruple by 2050 - India - Social issue

The increase of older population is the demographic structure is an important issue. There are numerous social issue attached to it. The state governments have come up with related legislations. Hence, it is one of the topic which must be developed for the Mains GS. Keep watching Yogna issues for it. Keep an eye for this topic in different magazines.

Source to be used: Not much, anyhow add to the notes in the list to be covered.
India's older population to quadruple by 2050 - India - The Times of India

Traffic Restraint System Proposals (TRS)

Traffic Restraint System proposals are issue of debate in Mumbai Maharashtra. It is to be included in short answers for GS 2009. Though a subjudice issue but, it may also become an point of discussion in Personality test in April 2010. Just put in the watch list after preparing notes from the following source. It is an issue which is also being faced by Kolkatta and Delhi. The issue may become a major debate after Nano and other small cars in lower price band come on the road.

Source to be used:
Govt plans to ease traffic chaos - Mumbai - Cities - The Times of India

Yashpal Committee Report

Yashpal Committee Report
Main Points:

Source to be used:
HRD minister vows progress on Yashpal report in 100 days- Politics/Nation-News-The Economic Times

Additional Source:
MHRD
Download available at Report of Yash Pal Committee on Higher Education 2009 as accessed on June 25, 2009.

Friday, June 19, 2009

Ustad Ali Akbar Khan: Sarood Player

Ustad Ali Akbar Khan had passed away. He was recipient of Padam Bushan and Padam Vibhusham. He had been bestowed upon the title of the Living National Treasure in India.

Links for further notes:
Ustad Ali Akbar Khan passes away

Jose Manuel Barroso may continue as President European Commission of European Union

European Union Executive may continue to have Jose Manuel Barroso (from Portugal)as President of European Commission for next five year.

The report has major points on European Economic policies.

Source to be used:
EU leaders agree on tighter financial supervision | World | Reuters: "Jose Manuel Barroso"

Photograph Source:
Wikipedia.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Zollverin of Bric

This report is very good for viva preparation in 2010. The report contains possibilities of a talk shop. Hence, nothing much in it. However, it contains some issues which can be part of the a short note on Bric. Secondly the report of Hindu entails some related topics below the report which you can find at the end of the report.

Zollverin was an economic union formed under the proposal of Prussia before the unification of Germany.
Secondly, the change of currency from Pounds to Dollar took place in 1921.
Thirdly, there is similar suggestion to the one given in news interview with PM Manmohan Singh in case of European Union which desire to adopt Euro as the exchange standard.
Fourthly, it is late 1990s foreign policy move to seek economic cooperation and coordination with Asia Pacific and East Asian states. Now, with BRIC theory and SCO participation, the country is definitely going for pragmatic change in foreign policy. Hence such issues can be made the part of the notes for 2010 and 2011.

Source to be used including the additional links on the suggested link

The Hindu : Front Page : BRIC examining alternatives to dollar

IA Transport Aircraft is from Antonov Ukraine

There is a recent report of the crash of the Indian Airforce transport aircraft in NE states.

The following report can be kept in notes with markings on the origin of the Transport Aircraft, it category of being a twin engine turboprop, and the present agreement with Ukraine which is one of SCO country.

The following source can be used

Source to be used:
The Hindu : National : Agreement with Ukraine to upgrade AN-32

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

SCO Members

The use the following links for making a note on SCO members which stands for
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation. The members are China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

Link to be used:
The Hindu News Update Service

Wikipedia Article

Friday, June 12, 2009

Chandrayaan-1 Kaguya Chang'e 1 and Sara

Kindly use the following report to develop notes on the following terms:
Chandrayaan -1 (Already included in the list)
Kaguya
Chang'e 1
Sara- an Acronym for 'Sub Kev Atom Reflecting Analyser'.
Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter

Report to be used:

Chandrayaan-1 is sole moon craft in space - India - The Times of India

Tuesday, June 09, 2009

Habib Tanvir, A Theater Personality

Habib Tanvir is no more. The following note can be used for making a note on his achievements in the field of Theatre which he had dominated till the day.

Source to be used:
Habib Tanvir makes his final exit - Mumbai - Cities - The Times of India

Civil Services Act 2009

The news item of rediff news is highly opinionated.

HOWEVER Civil Services Reform, especially the state versus centre relation, the appointments of bureaucracy and tenure are some such issues, which can be topic of question in Mains or at the best in the Viva. The report contains some points to be picked but use caution as it has been tilted. Secondly due not include party names directly while discussing the appointments of key administrative posts at state level. It may put you in a fix if the appointment is directly concerned to your state.

The times of India report have more points.

Link to be used:

Civil Services Act 2009 may create mayhem

Times of India have more points

Saturday, June 06, 2009

Union Home Secretary

Union Home Secretary is G. K. Pillai from July 1, 2009. The previous Union Home Secretary was Madhukar Gupta.

The Hindu : National : G.K. Pillai to be new Home Secretary

Kindly refer to the report of Eocnomic Times which contains the names of other members also. It can be good MSQ which may contain an odd man out among the team of the Planning Commission.

Secondly, the reputed book of Indian Economy of extensively quote the planning commission reports in every next issue.

Thirdly, the commission website also contains many reports on Indian economy and planning which makes the part of the prelims as well as the Mains General Studies. A casual look from time to time helps in making intelligent notes which give fruitful results.

Source to be used:
Montek retains job at Plan Panel- Indicators-Economy-News-The Economic Times

Friday, June 05, 2009

Hon. President Identifies 10 Priority Areas.

The President Address to the joint house on forming the 15th Lok Sabha spells out ten priority areas for the next five years for her government.
Some of the major areas are:
1. National Food Security Act
2. Inclusive Growth policies in force since 2004.
3. Women Reservation Bill (1/3 seat in the Parliament)
4. Internal Security and Communal Harmony
5. Zero Tolerance to terrorism
6. Police Reforms.
7. Sachar Committee recommendations
8. Equal Opportunity Commission.

Use following Links:
The Hindu : Front Page : President unveils pro-poor agenda

Times of India Report

Thursday, June 04, 2009

export target of $200 billion for 2009-10

The Export Target of India for the financial year 2009-10 is $200 billion.
In 2008-09, India's export stood at $168 billions.
In 2007-08, it was $163 billion.

The global meltdown in the economy and especially in the Western countries (Europe and United States of America), is causing worry to the government as it is apprehended that the target may not be achieved. There is decline in the Indian export from month to month basis and in May, it has fallen by 30%. On the other hand, the import has also decreased due to fall the petroleum prices as India fulfils 70% requirement of her petroleum through import.

Link to be studied:

Exports at sea eight months on the trot- Foreign Trade-Economy-News-The Economic Times

Highly IMPORTANT for October 2009 Mains.

Wednesday, June 03, 2009

Krishna Patil, the first Mountaineer from Maharashtra to reach Everest

Kindly look into the news. There is a related news already posted below.

Link to be used:
Everest climber Krishna arrives in Pune to rousing welcome - Pune - Cities - The Times of India

Meera Kumar Elected Lok Sabha Speaker, First Women to hold that post

Meera Kumar is the first women Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

The Press is going wild on her election.
As an aspirant, the candidates should remember in GS Prelims there is one or two question every year for the last three two four years when the women achievers are made the topic of the question. Similarly, in GS Mains, in case of personalities, women names are always there.

Check the following three links. (BBC has the tinge of biased reporting.)

The Hindu: Meera Kumar Scripts the history
Women Power in Lok Sabha

BBC says India elects her first Women Speaker

Monday, June 01, 2009

Mini Ratna status for CMPDI - Ranchi - Cities - The Times of India

CMPDI: Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Limited. Ranchi.

Mini Ratna status for CMPDI - Ranchi - Cities - The Times of India

Air Marshal N A K Browne, Commander of Western Air Command

Air Marshal N A K Browne, is the commander of the Western Air Commander. Kindly use the following link for preparing a brief note.

Suggestion
With the help of the Indian Year Book, learn about the various ranks of the Air Force, Army and Navy. Remember the names of the Chief of the Army Staff, Air Force and Navy. Questions on them are not readily asked but there had been a trend in eighties and nineties to ask about the various rank and armed forces heads.

Link to be used:

The Hindu News Update Service

Useful Resources