Civilsdaily digest july 2015

Civilsdaily NewsDigest
July 2015
Curated with care - Civilsdaily Team 
CIVILSDAILY NEWSDIGEST - JULY 2015 1
“A great man is one who
leaves others at a loss
after he is gone.”

Hello,
Alexander Hamilton once said, “A well adjusted person is one who makes the same
mistake twice without getting nervous.”
And here you are - aspirants, both old and new - gearing up for once more battle at
the doors of the UPSC Hydra! We wish you a truckload of luck as you prepare for the ﬁrst
leg of this journey which is CSE 2015.
Our in-house rankers - Satish Reddy (AIR 97) and Abhijit Thorat (AIR 478) extend
their warm wishes (even though Abhijit is gearing towards rank improvement). These IRS
folks, I tell you! It seems everyone with >100 rank sits again in this big yajna!
Aspirants 2016 & beyond
Civilsdaily started sometime in March 2015 and you have an year ahead for yourself
to study with us. We will be evolving our product offering and web interface so that
Current Affairs is a breeze to solve!
Here is what we propose to you -
• Be regular at the website - http://www.civilsdaily.com/ and look for all the
stories which we have created ever since. These stories are newscards (from our app)
connected in a chronological order to give you a comprehensive feel of the News
Development.
• Read through the blogs by IAS rankers - http://www.civilsdaily.com/blog/ and
form basic strategies on how to approach subjects.
• Discuss Topics - It is important for everyone to be able to form opinions or at least
know the different facets which help you interpret the facts. Contribute to the daily
news on our website - add more to comments and ask better questions!
Every now and then, we will release a Web Stories Digest where in we will
collate the best of info graphs and user comments so that aspirants get a full
feel of the Current Affairs.
Such compilations would only be available to those who have spent
time contributing to the stories in terms of comments or matter.
CIVILSDAILY NEWSDIGEST - JULY 2015 2

World | July 1, 2015
Greece proposes a 3rd bailout!
1. The Greek government has proposed a new Two‐Year
bailout programme, according to news breaking in
Athens.
2. This two‐year programme would be supplied under
the European Stability Mechanism (Europe’s bailout
fund).
3. And – crucially – would run alongside a debt
restructuring.
4. And it wouldn’t include the International Monetary
Fund!
Modi’s Central Asia visit to focus on fighting
Islamic State menace
1. PM to visit 5 Central Asian states — Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.
2. Major areas of discussion will be counter‐terror
technology, training forces and also countering
radicalism.
3. Energy cooperation including gas, oil and uranium,
defence training and exercises, and trade transit
through Iran will also be high on agenda.
4. These countries have been particularly worried
recently about the growing numbers of their youth
attracted to the IS terror group.
5. Later the PM will visit Russia to attend BRICS and
SCO summits.

Trivia | July 1, 2015
Mid‐Day meal scheme draws CAG’s flak
1. CAG said that Mid‐day meals were not served on the
prescribed number of days in both primary and upper
primary schools.
2. Besides, the food also lacked nutritive standards.
3. Service providers did not obtain mandatory licenses
and there was non‐availability of buffer foodgrain
stocks.
4. CAG recommended strengthening of the monitoring
mechanism by regular inspections of schools and
kitchens, and yearly review of the status of enrolment
of children.
Enviro & Biodiversity | July 1, 2015
Green Climate Fund to become operational
soon
1. $100 million fund to control and reverse the climate
change will soon be operational.
2. Money would be made available to organisations such
as NABARD that made development investment
decisions.
Discuss: What is GCF? Origination of this concept? 2014
prelims had a question on this.

Industries under 24×7 pollution watch
1. MoEF has started 24×7 real‐time monitoring of
polluting agencies in order to crack down on
industries violating environmental norms.
2. Sensors installed at effluent discharge points can pick
up the Bio Oxygen Demand (BoD), Chemical Oxygen
Demand (CoD) and other similar parameters.
3. This would reveal the actual compliance levels of
various industries and data can be tracked on a minute
to minute basis.
Polity | July 1, 2015
India’s tech stars shifting to Silicon Valley
1. Excessive red tape in processes such as early‐stage
investing and mergers and acquisitions is forcing
promising startups in India to shift overseas.
2. This year, 3 of 4 new technology start‐ups that focus
on the global market and plan to raise seed or venture
capital are getting domiciled outside the country.
3. Giants like Flipkart and InMobi have already shifted
base to Singapore.

Households using PDS double in 7 years
1. PDS = Public Distribution Service.
2. These households are relying more on the PDS and
less on open market sources than before.
3. So? Activists attribute trend to improved functioning
of service. Yay! for the govt.
Economics | July 1, 2015
Core sector growth at 4.4% in May
1. Okay. But what are these and why do I care?
2. The 8 core industries — coal, crude oil, natural gas,
refinery products, fertilisers, steel, cement, and
electricity.
3. Together they account for a combined weight of 37.9
per cent in the overall IIP.
Discuss: What's an IIP? Google it up :)

New textiles policy aims at 35 million jobs
1. How? A new draft policy will focus on these things –
lack of enough skilled workforce + labour reforms
+ attracting investments + providing a roadmap for
the textile industry.
2. What else? The Centre is also considering setting up
modern apparel garment manufacturing centres in
each of the seven NE States.
Rainwater harvesting could prove good for
India: NASA
1. NASA concluded that rainwater harvesting could help
reduce water bills, increase caloric intake and even
provide a second source of income for people in India.
2. Rainwater harvesting is not a new concept but is
largely untapped in India.
3. Refers to the accumulation and deposition of
rainwater for reuse on‐site rather than allowing it to
run off.

Number of vacant school seats under RTE to
go online in Madurai
1. As many as 976 seats are lying vacant today across
148 private matriculation schools in Madurai district
alone.
2. The School Education department plans to publish
details of vacant seats online in a bid to keep public
better informed about their availability.
Discuss: Right to Education Act (RTE) was introduced in
2009 by the Government of India to provide free and
compulsory education to all children under the 6‐14 age
group.
Science & Tech | July 1, 2015
Mars orbiter completes 100 rounds!
1. Launched from Indian spaceport of Sriharikota on
November 5, 2013.
2. MOM reached Mars in September last year and has
outlived its planned mission life of six months in a
Martian orbit.
3. MOM remains healthy and all its payloads are
performing satisfactorily.
4. The orbiter is reported to have an elliptical orbit of
474 km and 71, 132 km from the red planet.
Discuss: What were all the payloads?

[Discuss] Can corruption be good for the
economy?
1. We have been talking about Ease of Business and
what not, right!
2. Let’s take a quirky detour around the murkier waters
and try to answer the question above in the Indian
context.
3. Hop onto civilsdaily.com and join in the discussion!
Mobile numbers all set to be fully portable
1. Nationwide mobile number portability (MNP) will be
rolled out by service providers on July 3.
2. This will allow customers to keep their existing mobile
phone numbers while shifting between states and
circles.
3. This move is expected to affect the inflated subscriber
base in the country, which exists as a consequence of
having to get a new number in each state.

Greek crisis will affect the Indian IT sector
only marginally
1. Large Indian IT firms are likely to see only a marginal
1‐2% earnings impact.
2. Why? We have very limited revenue exposure to
Greece.
3. Predominant revenue exposure is limited to Nordics,
Switzerland and Benelux, Germany and France within
Europe.
4. The GDP impact in these countries is not expected to
trickle down to Indian vendors significantly.
Big hurdles still remain in Iran n‐talks
1. The main differences are on the pace and timing of
sanctions relief for Iran and on the nature of
monitoring mechanisms to ensure Tehran does not
cheat on any agreement.
2. U.S. and European negotiators also want to ensure
there is a mechanism for restoring sanctions if Tehran
fails to meet its commitments under any future accord

PM Modi launches Digital India week
1. Digital India is a week‐long event to be held in New
Delhi, starting today.
2. The main objective of the event is to bring the
internet and e‐governance to all sections of society in
India.
3. Digital India has drawn investments worth 4.5 lakh
crore rupees, and is expected to create 18 lakh jobs.
4. Some main initiatives include digital lockers, e‐hospital
portals, deployment of public WiFi portals and an e‐
Sign framework, among other things.
Dignity of a woman is part of her non‐
perishable and immortal self: SC
1. Laying bare the recent order of Madras High Court
which recommended compromise in a rape case, SC
said in case of a rape conception of compromise
under no circumstances can really be thought of.
2. SC further said that rape was a non‐compoundable
offence against society and the parents of the minor
victim had no right to settle the case.

With AFSPA, India has failed statute: Amnesty
International
1. Amnesty International accused India of not addressing
human rights violations committed by security force
personnel in the name of national security
2. They say – India has not only failed to uphold its
international obligations but has also failed its own
Constitution.
3. The report is titled “Denied: Failures in accountability
for human rights violations by security force personnel
in Jammu & Kashmir”.
After 54 years, the historic chains are shackled
between U.S. & Cuba
1. 1959 – US backed dictator Batista flees and Fidel
Castro seizes control
2. 1960 – US breaks off diplomatic relations and
enforces trade embargo
3. 1961 – Castro declares Cuba a communist state
4. 1962 – Fearing US invasion, Castro allows USSR to
deploy nuclear missiles : Cuban Missile Crises
5. 1980 – Castro removes restrictions and many Cubans
flee to US
6. Dec’2014 – Secret talks between Cuba and US
7. June’2015 – Diplomatic relations restored

Cabinet nod for National Agriculture Market
1. National Agriculture Market would require a single
licence for market operations in all farm markets
across the state.
2. Single point of levy of market fee and electronic
auction as a mode of price discovery.
3. PM also approved a central programme for creating
sources of assured irrigation for the agriculture sector.
4. How? by converging several ongoing inter‐Ministerial
schemes.
Greece to move ahead with referendum
1. Greek PM has urged the people to vote ‘No’ in the
referendum due on July 5.
2. He says that a ‘No’ vote does not signify a rupture
with Europe, but a return to the Europe of values.
3. Crisis has also opened another rift in Europe with
France in favor of an immediate agreement with
Greece and Germany stern on its stand of no
agreement before the referendum.

Govt. to roll out road map for corporate tax
reduction
1. Government in the next 45 days will unveil the road
map of how it will go about reducing the corporate tax
rate.
2. Plan is reduce it to 25% over 4 years, and eliminate
the existing incentives and exemptions.
3. Though the effective rate of collection is 23% due to
many exemptions but the base rate of 30% is much
higher than global standards making our domestic
industry uncompetitive.
Discuss: Ease of doing business, shall we?
[op‐ed snap] AIIB: A new multilateral
institution
1. AIIB took shape with 50 members, including Australia,
India, Russia and the United Kingdom and the
remaining 7 are likely to join by the end of the year.
2. China will be the largest shareholder (at 30.34%),
followed by India (8.52%) and Russia (6.66%).
3. AIIB is a culmination of China’s concerns that the
emerging economies were not being given an
adequate say in institutions such as IMF and WB.
4. With ‘Belt and Road’ project close to her heart, AIIB is
likely to invest in projects in China’s Asian
neighbourhood which is suffering from a massive
infrastructure funding gap.
5. India’s participation in AIIB indicates mature balancing
act to suit its interests – to engage with the West, at
the same time exploring options with new financial
institutions.

[Discuss] The disinvestment debate. Are we on
the correct path?
1. We are discussing disinvestment today at
civilsdaily.com
2. Share this Newscard among your friends and invite
them to join in the discussion.
3. Link given below.
More developments in the Assam‐Nagaland
border case
1. The Assam‐Nagaland boundary dispute dates back to
1963, with Nagaland demanding territories currently
under Assam.
2. The Supreme Court on Thursday took note of the
submission seeking adjournment of hearing in a 27‐
year‐old lawsuit filed by Assam in 1988.

Government allocates 200 crore rupees for
national agriculture market
1. Government plans to integrate 585 wholesale markets
across India.
2. Main objectives (1) – Creation of a common electronic
platform deployable in selected regulated markets
across the country.
3. Main objectives (1) – Single license for entire state
and electronic auctions for price discovery.
4. Impact – The entire state will become a market by
abolishing fragmented markets within the state.
Modi likely to back [China‐Nepal‐India]
corridor proposal
1. China has proposed to build an economic corridor
including road and rail links to connect 3 countries:
China, Nepal and India.
2. Chinese officials have stated that prime minister Modi
has responded favorably to the proposal.
3. China’s main motive may be to find Indian buyers for
goods made in China.
4. The Indian center is open to new economic ideas, but
will take decisions based on national interest criteria
and potential military issues involved in opening up
several birders at the same time.

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Discuss: We have been innovating on content &
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engagement to the next level. Spread the word!
[Update] We are taking the day off
1. Newscards will be pushed at around noon tomorrow.
2. We are taking some time off to rejig the backend and
improve on some performance parameters.
3. Did we tell you we were working on a new version of
the android app?
4. If you want an alpha invite – drop us a message on
our facebook page!

Govt plans Internet green channel: Javadekar
We are thinking of launching an Internet green channel.
We are also looking at starting one‐hour‐long programme
based on green practices on DD Kisan channel.
Digital India: 10 key initiatives that you should
know
One way to get a feel of what’s going on is this – We are
broadly trying to automate most of the mundane
processes online. Crudely speaking – on one hand,
Govt. wants to use tech as a tool to facilitate some of the
services (which are already in play) – eg: E‐signatures,
Digital Locker, Scholarship info at one … Continue reading
(http://www.civilsdaily.com/digital‐india‐15‐key‐
initiatives‐that‐you‐should‐know/)

[op‐ed snap] Lessons from a Greek tragedy
The Greek episode has exposed fundamental
assumptions about the role of the state and its capacity
for reform to a searing examination. Two key takeaways:
The idea that nations in different stages of development
could be yoked harmoniously under a common currency
without sufficient fiscal oversight might never truly be a
sustainable one. From … Continue reading
(http://www.civilsdaily.com/op‐ed‐snap‐lessons‐from‐a‐
greek‐tragedy/)
30% rural households landless, live off manual
labour – Socio Eco Census
1. 19% rural population in 2011 lacked at least 1 of
7 socio‐economic parameters used to estimate
deprivation.
2. 23.5% of rural households have no literate adults
above the age of 25.
Discuss: As compared to the erstwhile Planning
Commission’s definition of poverty as income an
individual has, this census defines it on what a household
does not have.

PM’s Central Asia trip to give impetus to trade,
energy security
1. India is expected to get permanent membership of the
SCO. Currently, we have an observer status.
2. PM’s itinerary: Turkmenistan – inaugurate the Centre
for traditional medicine and yoga.
3. Uzbekistan – a meeting with Indologists.
4. Kazakhstan – address a University and inaugurate the
India‐Kazakhstan centre for excellence for ICT, where
Param super computer is stationed.
5. Kyrgyzstan – inaugurate an e‐health link, a virtual link
between one of the hospitals in Bishkek and a hospital
in India.
6. Tajikistan – detailed interaction with the President.
Discuss: You know SCO right? What is its major focus?
Food Ministry for 10% duty on import of
cheap wheat
1. The Food Ministry has proposed a 10% import duty
on cheaper wheat shipments as the country has
surplus stocks.

Centre brings black money law into force
1. Govt. advanced enforcement of the Black Money
(Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and
Imposition of Tax Act by 8 months through an
executive order – from April 2016 to July 2015.
2. Some experts believe that this advancement is
unconstitutional.
3. Why? Section 86 (1) of the Act empowers the Centre
to remove difficulties not inconsistent with the
provisions of the main Act as a delegate of Parliament.
4. However, by changing the enforcement date, centre
has altered the main Act and delegated legislation
cannot amend the parent legislation.
5. Only Parliament can amend the Parent Act.
Discuss: What is delegated legislation?
DBT has helped remove ‘ghost beneficiaries’:
CEA
1. Before DBT, 1 in 4 subsidised LPG cylinders were
going to “ghost beneficiaries.”
2. This saved the government Rs. 12,700 crore on its
subsidy bill in 2014‐15 and is expected to save Rs.
6,500 crore during the current year.

India keeps away from vote against Israel in
U.N. Resolution
1. Resolution was to call for accountability of Israeli
officials with alleged role in war crimes committed by
both Israel and Hamas during the Gaza conflict in
2014.
2. UNHRC resolution had included a reference to taking
Israel to the International Criminal Court, which India
considers “intrusive.”
3. India had voted against Israel and in favour of the
UNHRC resolution in July 2014.
[Update] Two of our team members blazed
through UPSC with èlan!
1. Abhijit Thorat (AIR 478) and Satish Reddy (AIR 97) –
Congratulations are in order.
2. You should be happy to know that a part of what you
read in terms of daily news cards/ [Discuss] topics at
civilsdaily.com and India Year Book summaries came
from these guys.
3. Let them celebrate their due and we will ask them to
do an AMA (Ask Me Anything) over at civilsdaily.com
4. Gear up for Prelims guys – it’s less than 2 months
now!

Fearing action, 1400 primary teachers with
fake degree resign in Bihar
1. More such teachers are expected to resign in the
coming days after a Patna High Court order asking
those possessing fake educational degrees to quit
their jobs on their own to avoid facing legal action.
2. Bihar has over 3.5 lakh primary teachers and the PILs
allege that a large number among them have taken up
the job on the basis of fake educational certificates.
Discuss: Mera Desh Mahan!
CCI amends merger regulations to increase
ease of doing business
1. The measures would make for greater ease of doing
business, a parameter on which India has consistently
come up short.
2. India dropped two places to rank 142nd in the World
Bank’s Ease of Doing Business report last year.

[op‐ed snap] Global cooperation for the
common good
1. Raghuram Rajan has warned that the world is at risk of
repeating the mistakes it made during the Great
Depression (1929‐1939).
2. A series of policy mistakes made matters worse during
those painful years.
3. Central banks cut back money supply.
4. Competitive devaluations did not help.
5. Trade barriers were raised.
6. Fiscal spending remained conservative by today’s
standards.
Taking internet to rural women
1. In a significant initiative aimed at bridging the
technology gender divide, Tata Trusts have tied up
with Google to launch ‘Internet Saathi’.
2. The joint initiative announced today aims at
empowering women in rural India with the power of
the Internet so they may benefit from it in their daily
lives.

Coal linkage to power companies without
PPAs
1. The government has evolved a mechanism for
supplying coal to stressed power companies without
blocks.
2. How? Via an auction route, under which two e‐
auction windows will be created.
3. The Centre is also coming out with a tariff policy and
a policy for bidding for Ultra Mega Power Plants
(UMPP).
Discuss: What are UMPP? And why are they imp?
Economy picking up; need more reforms for
strong growth
Here is what Rajan has to say on – Economy – I would
say (the economy is) picking up. We see some signs of
capital investment picking up. There is a continuing need,
which the government is trying to address, of putting
some of the stalled projects back on track. Monsoon –
Inflation is always a matter … Continue reading
(http://www.civilsdaily.com/economy‐picking‐up‐need‐
more‐reforms‐for‐strong‐growth/)

[Discuss] Let’s debate the effectiveness of
AFSPA
1. What has it achieved in “disturbed areas,” where it is
in effect? Should it remain in force, be revoked, or at
least revised?
2. Discussion goes LIVE at civilsdaily.com
Cellphones outnumber landlines in rural India,
finds census
1. 68% of households own only a mobile phone, 1% own
only a landline phone, and 2.7% own both.
2. The census found that only 3.62% of rural households
across the country have a Kisan Credit Card with a
credit limit of Rs. 50,000 or more.
3. Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Madhya Pradesh perform
abysmally when it comes to rural consumption of
items measured in the census.
Discuss: We live in interesting times The SECC has taken
up a lot of traction off late :)

[Update] Not much in news today, but here’s
more
1. Not much relevant in news today so we did not want
to burden you with unnecessary info.
2. We are planning to release the Newsdigest for June
2015. Let’s see if the weather permits us to do that
[Check the download section of our website for
that]
3. We are going to have an interesting discussion on
politics and ethics today evening.
4. Do join in!
[Discuss] Has Indian Politics become immune
to ethical issues?
In the wake of the recent Lalit‐Gate controversy which
hoggs the big‐wigs of the NDA government, this eminent
panel discusses some very pertinent questions. Who
dictates the code of ethics of the political institution at
power? The society or the leadership’s voice within? How
do people/ political parties manage perceptions? And is
that all what … Continue reading
(http://www.civilsdaily.com/discuss‐has‐indian‐politics‐
become‐immune‐to‐ethical‐issues/)

India mulling proposal to join Eurasian Union
1. India is considering the option of signing a FTA pact
with the EEU, which has Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan and Armenia as members.
2. India is also considering signing up such pacts with
Latin American Integration Association (ALADI),
NAFTA and the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA).
3. Central Asian countries have huge oil and gas reserves
and are an important link to Afghanistan.
India, Uzbekistan ink pacts to boost
cooperation
1. 2 countries inked 3 pacts to boost cooperation
between their foreign offices and in the field of
culture and tourism.
2. Also discussed ways to enhance strategic, economic
and energy ties apart from reviewing key regional
issues including the situation in Afghanistan.

Finance Minister resigns to smoothen talks
with creditors
1. After Greece’s astounding ‘No’ in referendum, FM
resignation has removed a major obstacle to any deal
to keep Athens in the euro zone.
2. Greek PM said that Greece would bring a proposal for
a cash‐for‐reforms deal to an emergency summit of
euro zone leaders.
MHA to hold meet on Rohingya Muslims
1. Meeting will be attended by the Principal Secretaries
(Home) of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir,
Assam, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala.
2. According to MHA estimates, over one lakh Rohingya
Muslims have settled in these States.
3. There are reports suggesting that radical groups may
make an attempt to recruit some members of the
community, which is a cause of concern.

Consensus eludes meet on urea subsidy
1. At present, the subsidy is paid to urea producers and
importers, not farmers.
2. Govt. is mulling to provide DBT to farmers directly.
3. No decision could be taken on criteria for identifying
the eligible farmers.
4. The criteria of landownership would exclude majority
of farmers and result in the emergence of a black
market for urea as not all farms require the fertiliser.
Govt sets rooftop solar targets for States
1. The Centre has recently set State‐wise tentative
targets for installation of grid‐connected solar rooftop
systems.
2. Part of its plan is to achieve 40,000 MW of rooftop
solar power by 2022.

India had indicated support, says Palestine
envoy
1. India was among 5 countries which abstained, while
41 countries voted in favour of the resolution, and the
United States remained the only country to vote
against it.
2. Palestine said that the vote would “confuse”
supporters of India’s UNSC membership bid and called
it a “clean break from the ethos of non‐alignment.”
Controversial Meiji sites get world heritage
status
1. Sites include coalmines and shipyards that Japan says
contributed to its transformation from feudalism into a
successful modern economy.
2. South Korea had opposed the application for world
heritage status unless clear reference was made to the
use of an estimated 60,000 labourers forced to work
at seven of the sites during Japan’s 1910‐1945
colonial rule over the Korean peninsula.

SCs in TN better off than FCs in Jharkhand
1. SECC data shows that rates of stunting and severe
stunting in children under the age of 5 are highest
among SC and ST children with ST children faring the
worst.
2. OBCs and ‘others’ have substantially better indicators.
3. National averages hide State‐level dynamics; SCs, STs
worse off on average
[op‐ed snap] Political implications of the Greek
crisis
The Greeks have voted resoundingly against the
economic policies that its creditors in the European Union
want it to pursue. But what next? Other weak European
countries such as Spain could be tempted to follow the
Greek strategy. The impact of a Spanish or Italian default
will be far more severe because of the … Continue
reading (http://www.civilsdaily.com/op‐ed‐snap‐political‐
implications‐of‐the‐greek‐crisis/)

Unwed mother can be appointed guardian of
child: SC
1. Father’s consent is not needed.
2. According to guardianship law, the rights and interests
of the child are of paramount importance and the
interests of the parents are subservient to them.
3. The judgement puts an unwed mother on an equal
footing with the father in terms of guardianship.
Yemen raises prospect of truce
1. The United Nations has been pushing for a halt to the
air strikes and fighting that have killed nearly 3,000
people in Yemen since March.
2. Saudi‐led coalition had intervened against the Iranian‐
backed Houthi forces to try to restore exiled President
Abd‐Rabbu Mansour Hadi.
3. The Houthis have also signalled readiness to honour a
truce.

Industrial expansion limits effect of poor
monsoon
1. The role of agriculture in rural economy has been so
dominant that the words “agriculture” and “rural” are
used interchangeably and often indistinguishable.
2. But agriculture is no longer the predominant source of
rural income.
3. The share of agriculture in rural NDP has consistently
been declining—it was 70.5% in FY1970‐71 and
38.9% in FY05.
4. This has declined further to 29.9% in FY13.
India overtakes the US as 3rd largest steel
producer
1. In the first half of 2015, India has overtaken the US to
become the 3rd largest steel producer in the world,
behind only China and Japan.
2. The steel industry in India is currently in expansion
mode, with a special focus on R&D.

Pak dismisses India’s objections to the Sino‐
Pak Economic Corridor
1. In May 2015, India formally registered a protest
against the recently signed $46 billion China‐Pakistan
Economic Corridor.
2. India has expressed its concerns about China routing
its corridor through Pakistan occupied Kashmir.
3. Both Pakistan and China have dismissed India’s
concerns.
NIA files closure report in Modasa blast case
1. On September 29, 2008, Modasa’s Suka Bazaar
locality was the victim of a bomb blast, which claimed
the life of a 15‐year‐old boy and left 10 injured.
2. The special NIA court closed the case on April 22,
2015, citing lack of concrete evidence as a major
reason.
3. The closure report comes at a time when reports have
emerged of a slew of cases, allegedly involving Hindu
extremists, falling apart.

Rupee emerges strongest in two months
1. The Indian rupee emerged as the strongest currency
among its counterparts over the last two months
2. Appreciating 0.8% against the dollar, second only to
the Chinese Yuan at 0.14%.
3. Main tribulations the rupee overcame include global
uncertainties owing to the Greek crisis, outflows by
foreign institutional investors, and domestic concerns
over monsoon and inflation.
Shah panel holds meeting with tax dept on
MAT
1. The Shah Panel is a high‐level committee formed in
May 2015 to look into the issue of levy of minimum
alternate tax (MAT) on foreign institutional investors
(FIIs).
2. The panel met CBDT chairperson Anita Kapur on
Tuesday to discuss the contentious matter.
3. The committee is tasked by Finance Minister, Arun
Jaitley, to examine all the related legal provisions and
pronouncements, and to give its report expeditiously.

MDG report: India on track in reducing
poverty
1. India has halved its incidence of extreme poverty –
people living below $1.25 per day, from 49.4 per cent
in 1994 to 24.7 per cent in 2011.
2. Still the nation remains home to one‐quarter of the
world’s undernourished population, over a third of the
world’s underweight children, and nearly a third of the
world’s food‐insecure people.
Why can’t we bring political parties under RTI,
asks SC
1. Bench said it is within the voter’s fundamental right to
know the financial details of political parties.
2. Under Section 29A of the Representation of the
People Act, 1951 all political parties must affirm their
allegiance to the Constitution of India.
3. Therefore, political parties must furnish information to
the public under the right of information under Article
19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India.

Tardy pace on maternal mortality front: MDG
report
1. Although the infant mortality rate fell drastically from
88.2 deaths per 1,000 live births in 1990 to 43.8 in
2012, the annual progress on this had been slow.
2. Maternal mortality rate fell from 560 per lakh live
births in 1990 to 190 in 2013.
3. On the environment front, India is one of the few
countries that have reduced its carbon dioxide
emissions in relation to its GDP.
4. India emitted 0.65 kg of carbon dioxide per $1 of
GDP in 1990, which fell to 0.53 kg in 2010.
Juvenile crimes up 100% in 10 years, finds
study
1. One of the reasons is lack of proper rehabilitation
facilities for the children once they are out of the
juvenile homes.
2. Education and Vocational training should be linked to
the certified courses of the government and should be
followed up and supported even when they are out of
the detention centres.

India can take on China only if it focuses on
quality
1. Trade with the Central Asian region, despite a huge
demand for generic drugs, leather, expertise in
telecommunication, exploration and food processing
capabilities, has been abysmally low.
2. India can compete with China if it focuses on quality
instead of quantity, improves credit line and takes
trade disputes seriously.
Kalpakkam reactor to go on stream
1. The 500‐MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor
(PFBR) at Kalpakkam is getting ready to be
commissioned in September.
2. The PFBR will use plutonium‐uranium oxide as fuel
and 1,750 tonnes of liquid sodium as coolant.
3. It is called a breeder reactor because it breeds more
fuel than it consumes.

[Update] The Newsdigest for June is delayed
1. Why?
2. Working on a few other things (specific to aid to your
prelims prep)
3. Two of our content writers got through civils this
year! So, a few man hours lost on account of indulgent
celebrations.
4. The Newsdigest should up by the second week of
June.
[op‐ed snap] NJAC: Objection Overruled
As per the Second Judges Case, the Constitution Bench
of the SC hearing a petition challenging NJAC Act and CA
Act might find it difficult to strike down the laws on the
grounds that they destroy judicial independence and
hence the basic structure of the Indian Constitution.

ISRO all set to launch five British satellites into
orbit
1. On July 10, ISRO’s Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle
(PSLV) will put in orbit five foreign satellites from the
spaceport of Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
2. This will be the heaviest ever commercial mission
undertaken by ISRO.
3. Major applications of the launched satellites will
include surveying the earth’s resources and
environment, managing urban infrastructure and
monitoring of disasters.
Dependence on coal imports likely to remain
high
1. Despite improvements in domestic coal production,
near to medium term coal imports are expected to
remain high.
2. Overall, domestic coal productions have gone up 7
per cent in 2014‐15.

PM Modi to meet Nawaz Sharif on July 10
1. They will meet on the sidelines of the Shanghai
Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit in Ufa,
Russia.
2. It is unclear what the discussion points will be.
3. Both Pakistan and India are set to become permanent
members of the SCO by 2016.
CBI registers case against Setalvad
1. Why? For alleged violation of the Foreign
Contribution Regulation Act in receiving funds from
abroad without taking permission from the home
ministry.
2. The case has been registered under Indian Penal Code
section related to criminal conspiracy (120B) along
with provisions of Foreign Contribution Regulation
Act.

IISc Bangalore ranks No. 5 in BRICS university
standings
1. Indian Institute of Science, (IISc) Bangalore, has
emerged No. 5 in a ranking of 404 universities in the
BRICS.
2. Rankings published by London‐based QS, previously
known as Quacquarelli Symonds.
Thomas Piketty on European Crisis
1. Since his successful book, Capital in the Twenty‐First
Century, the Frenchman Thomas Piketty has been
considered one of the most influential economists in
the world.
2. Read what he has to say about the greek crisis @
civilsdaily.com

[Update] News Digest for June 2015 – Now
Available
1. Got to the download section at the civilsdaily website
and get your free copy.
[Update] We have been trying to contact you
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news stories.
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trustworthy source.

Fund crunch hampers TB fight
1. Government has failed to meet annual targets to
control spread of the nation’s most fatal infectious
illness.
2. India records more than 300,000 TB related deaths
and 2.2 million new cases of TB each year.
3. The draft report is not in the public domain but was
leaked on the Internet by health activists
Greece submits economic reform plan
1. The Greek government has submitted proposals for
economic reforms in a effort to secure a bailout from
its international creditors.
2. This new plan comes after Greek voters rejected
previous austerity proposals from the country’s
lenders on Sunday.
3. The plan is rumored to contain tax rises and spending
cuts worth more than 12 billion euro.

Modi proposes “Das Kadam” initiative for
BRICS nations
1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed a 10‐point
initiative at the BRICS summit on Thursday.
2. The proposed initiatives include a trade fair to be
hosted by India, a railway research centre,
cooperation among supreme audit institutions, a
Digital Initiative and an agricultural research centre.
3. India will be the next chair of BRICS for 11 months
beginning February next year.
Despite bar, private players continue in
nutrition scheme
1. SC had banned private companies’ participation in
ICDS aimed at tackling malnutrition among infants and
improving the health standards of pregnant women.
2. Women’s self‐help groups, village panchayats and
Mahila Mandals are supposed to be the agents of
change in tackling malnutrition.

India, U.S. ink pact on sharing account info
1. Aiming at curbing overseas tax evasion and black
money, India and the U.S. signed an agreement to
implement the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act
(FATCA).
2. Agreement makes it obligatory for the 2 nations to
exchange information on offshore accounts of each
other’s citizens in their respective territories.
IMF cuts growth forecasts
1. Blaming the contracting US economy, IMF has cut
expected global growth rate to 3.3% for this year –
0.2% below its prediction in April.
2. Other contributing factors have been Greek crisis and
China’s stock market tumbling.

Thailand deports 100 Uighur Muslims to China
1. The fate of scores of suspected Uighurs — a Turkic‐
speaking, largely Muslim minority in China’s
northwestern Xinjiang region who have long chafed
under Chinese control — has hung in the balance
since they were sentenced for illegal entry in Thailand
in March 2014.
Discuss: After Rohingya, this is another muslim
community which is facing issues across the borders.
New BRICS bank to look at local, international
borrowing
1. NDB, with an initial capital of $50 billion, will have its
capital expanded to $100 billion within the next
couple of years.
2. It plans to raise money both on local markets and
internationally and would seek international and local
agencies ratings.

India, US ink pact on sharing account info
1. The agreement makes it obligatory on the part of the
two nations to exchange information on offshore
accounts of each other’s citizens in their respective
territories.
2. The financial institutions in the U.S. will have to share
information about Indian account holders to US
Internal Revenue Service and vice versa.
3. The agreement will facilitate automatic exchange of
information, to deter tax offenders and curb overseas
tax evasion and black money.
4. The U.S. government enacted FATCA (Foreign
Account Tax Compliance Act) in 2010 to obtain
information on accounts held by US taxpayers in other
countries.
5. Last month, India joined 59 countries to sign an
agreement to exchange a wide range of financial
information among them periodically and
automatically.
Discuss: Try to explore more about The Multilateral
Competent Authority Agreement on the Automatic
Exchange of Financial Account Information.
Digital India: MPEDA launches mobile‐based
apps
1. Marine Products Export Development Authority has
launched two mobile based applications.
2. They would help farmers get prices on shrimp and
capture data on aquaculture through mobile.

RBI releases final guidelines for PPI MTS
1. Prepaid Payment Instruments for Mass Transit System
(PPI‐MTS).
2. Enabling the issuance of a separate category of semi‐
closed prepaid payment instruments for mass transit
systems.
3. This means that all Mass Transit System operators like
the Indian Railways and even local buses can now
issue their own prepaid cards.
4. This move will provide considerable ease to
commuters.
Athens accepts harsh austerity measures
1. Reforms like tax raises, pension reforms, economic
liberalization were included in the package Greece
sent to the Eurozone creditors for fund to avert
bankruptcy.
2. The reform package will amount to Euro 12billion
over next two years.

‘Grexit’ will be extremely costly, says IMF
chief economist
1. IMF ruled out further funding for Greece until old
arrears are cleared. Greece defaulted on a loan
repayment of €1.55 billion due to the IMF on June
30.
2. According to the IMF economist, reforms were
needed in tax administration, collective bargaining, the
judicial system, pensions and reducing barriers to
entry for professions, and these were not undertaken
to a sufficient degree.
Gujarat and Tamil Nadu lead in project
clearance in coastal areas
1. Unlike rest of the States, where several proposals
were pertaining to repairing or reconstruction, these
states had proposals related to build jetty, port,
industry etc.
2. There are 9 State Coastal Zone Management
Authorities (SCZMA) tasked to take crucial decisions
regarding the use of coastal lands and the
management of coastal environments.

PSLV C‐28 launches 5 U.K. satellites weighing
1,440 kg
1. The three mini DMC satellites have been designed for
providing simultaneous spatial resolution and high
temporal resolution for earth observation.
2. Commercial wing of ISRO = Antrix
Whistle‐blowers virtually on their own
1. In the absence of strong law, reporting has become a
risky proposition and insiders are victimised.
2. The only way this can stop is to have an independent
agency to speedily investigate and resolve complaints.
3. Agencies such as the CVC not even have adequate
staff to probe complaints coming to them.

India to become full member at SCO by 2016
1. India, which has had an observer status for the past
10 years, will become a member by next year.
2. Current members are China, Russia, Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan as members.
3. Main focus of SCO is on connectivity, counter—
terrorism cooperation, bolstering cooperation in
energy sector, enhancing trade and dealing with drug
trafficking.
SC rejects plea for removal of UP Governor.
Why?
1. Why such a plea? Because of his alleged statement
favouring construction of a Ram temple at the
disputed site in Ayodhya.
2. What did SC say?
3. Continuance in office of Governor cannot be
scrutinised in writ jurisdiction by a High Court.
4. Earlier, The High Court had dismissed the PIL making
it clear that the case did not fall under the purview of
Article 226.
5. Article 226 gives powers to High Courts to issue writs
to governments and authorities regarding matters
falling under its territorial jurisdiction.

[Update] The new version is round the corner
1. If you have ever faced issues with the current version
of the android app – please drop us a mail at
civilsdaily@gmail.com
2. We would like to send you an invite to the alpha
release.
3. We have reimagined the whole UI and have added
features which were requested and we want to be
sure that it works for most of you guys.
4. Let us know at the earliest and spread this newscard
among your friends.
Discuss: We are putting in a lot of efforts here and it
would be great if we can get a few of you guys to help us
out with this.
NASA Satellites Unlock Secret to Northern
India’s Vanishing Water
1. Based on its GRACE Mission, NASA has revealed that
groundwater in north‐western India is depleting at a
much faster rate than it can be replenished.
2. Gravity Recovery And Climate Experiment (GRACE)
studies anomalies in gravity and is an important tool
for studying Earth’s geology, oceans and climate.

[Update] Topper’s Speak: CSE 2014 – Satish
Reddy (AIR 97)
1. Satish is here to answer all of your queries on Current
Affairs.
2. Go read his blog post on ‘How to prepare for current
affairs’
3. The discussion is LIVE at civilsdaily.com
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announcements and update messages.
Discuss: Share this message and the blogpost over at
your FB communities.
8‐10% economic growth eminently achievable
for India
1. FM Arun Jaitley has said that the revenue collection
situation is expected to be more comfortable than last
year.
2. Why so?
3. Factors responsible include the ongoing reform
process for sustainable irrigation and agriculture
insurance to help farmers, proposed GST, increased
infrastructure investment and emphasis on smart
cities.

Greece’s parliament backs government reform
plan
1. Greece’s reform plan containing austerity measures
saw 251 in favor, 32 against and 8 neutral votes.
2. The proposed measures include tax hikes and cuts in
pension spending, which are likely to cause major
dissent among Greek civilians.
3. All opposition parties except the Nazi‐inspired Golden
Dawn and the Communist Party voted in favor.
Discuss: Nazi‐inspired Golden Dawn! That's intriguing ;)
J&K to get a huge development package. For
what?
1. Funds to the tune of Rs. 70,000 Crore will be utilized
on projects identified by the State Govt.
2. Projects will include a medical institute in Anantnag,
IIT each in Jammu and in Kashmir, and IIM in Jammu.

HC recalls order on mediation in rape case
1. Madras High Court has recalled its controversial order
that suggested mediation between a rape survivor and
the convict.
2. SC had earlier remarked that “dignity of a woman is a
part of her non‐perishable and immortal self” and
there is no question of compromise in such cases.
Rajnath for cut in Central forces in North East.
Why?
1. Citing that the insurgencies in the region were at all
time low and state police forces were strengthened,
HM urged CMs to realistically decrease deployment of
central forces in their states.
2. This will make the environment easy and encourage
positive thinking of outsiders about this region.

Modi pushes for TAPI project
1. TAPI = Turkmenistan to Afghanistan, Pakistan and
India.
2. The $10‐billion TAPI gas project is an over 1,800‐km
pipeline with a design capacity to supply 3.2 billion
cubic feet of natural gas a year.
3. The pipeline is expected to be operational by 2018
and will carry gas from the Galkynysh field of
Turkmenistan that holds gas reserves of 16 trillion
cubic feet.
Think‐tank to challenge Article 35A in
Supreme Court
1. An RSS affiliated think‐tank is planning to approach
the Supreme Court to challenge Article 35A of
Constitution.
2. The article is said to allow the J&K to grant special
privileges and rights to permanent residents but
denies rights to several others who too have genuine
claims.
3. The articles allows for many non‐permanent residents
of J&K who cannot for a panchayat election even
while they can vote in the Lok Sabha elections.

Rare species of birds returning to the Capital
1. The rain and the flat marshlands available along the
huge sewer line of Najafgarh in Delhi have attracted
many terrestrial, migratory, coastal and even
threatened bird species this year.
2. Main migratory birds are – flock of the Baya Weaver,
Black‐necked stork and Painted stork and coastal
migratory birds like Greater Flamingos and Pied
Avocet.
Foreign investors express interest in Smart
Cities project
1. The Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD) is
anticipating private foreign investments worth at least
Rs 4 lakh crore till 2020 in the 100 Smart Cities.
2. This accounts for 80% of the estimated spending on
the mission, with only the remaining 20% coming from
the center and the states.
3. Smart Cities initiative involves efficient provision of
infrastructure and services, urban mobility and
governance, mainly through use of digital technology.

India’s diamond cutting and polishing industry
facing a tough time. Why?
1. Raw material (rough) prices have increased and there
has been no commensurate rise in diamond prices
because of poor demand.
2. A combination of economic and geopolitical factors
globally rendered this export‐driven industry unviable.
3. Several units are idling and in some cases even face
delinquency
India imposes anti‐dumping duty on phenol
products from SA
1. Phenol is a basic organic chemical used in plywoods,
laminates, particle boards, pharmaceuticals and phenyl
formaldehyde resins.
2. What is this Anti Dumping Duty?
3. A protectionist tariff that a domestic government
imposes on foreign imports that it believes are priced
below fair market value.

NGT fines hospitals and malls in Delhi
1. Fines were imposed due to failure in installing
rainwater harvesting systems despite orders issued
earlier by the green panel.
India’s population crosses 127‐crore mark
1. As per National Population Stabilisation Fund (NPSF),
an autonomous body under the Union Health
Ministry, India accounts for 17.25% of global
population.
2. Total fertility rate (TFR) has seen a decline and stood
at 2.3 in 2013 although the decline is not consistent.
3. 21‐26% women are married below 18 years of age in
States like Rajasthan, Jharkhand and Bihar.

India stands second on trust in national
government, says OECD survey
1. Trust represents the confidence of citizens and
businesses in government to do what is right and
perceived as fair.
2. Switzerland topped while Norway came at 3 of 40
countries surveyed.
3. However, India came 24th out of 35 countries in the
comparison on protection of fundamental rights
established under international law.
FSSAI sets 12,000 standards for food additives
& ingredients
1. These are in line with global safety standards, to do
away with lengthy process of product approval.
2. At present, there are 375 FSSAI safety standards for
food items but none for food additives and
ingredients.
3. This move will help the food companies as they won’t
have to waste much time scouting for product
approval.
rd

[Discuss] What are the questions raised by the
Maggi crisis?
1. What are the different aspects of food security and
organisation level challenges that plague India?
2. What reality has India’s regulators risen to in the wake
of the Maggi fiasco?
3. We are discussing this over at civilsdaily.com
Integrating Tibet with the world
1. The Sichuan‐Tibet railway project will connect Lhasa
with Chengdu, and include Tibet in China’s
transportation corridor to Europe.
2. It will pass through Nyngchi prefecture in close
proximity to the disputed areas of Arunachal Pradesh.
3. Plans are also to extend it to the Yunnan province and
integrating it with BCIM economic corridor.

India’s retail inflation at 8‐month high in June
1. Retail inflation rose to eight‐month high of 5.4% in
June on costlier food items, fuel, housing, clothing and
footwear.
2. Compare this with 5.01% rise in May, and 6.77% last
June.
3. RBI expects inflation to rise to 6% by January 2016.
Eurozone leaders agree unanimously on a new
bailout for Greece
1. Bailout includes “serious reforms” and “financial
support” for Greece.
2. The deal means that Grexit can be avoided.
3. The Greek government made a request last week for a
three‐year, 53.5 billion‐euro financial rescue from
Europe’s bailout fund.

Defamation should remain a penal offence:
Home Ministry
1. Contrary to the view of petitioners that it deterred
free speech, Centre is of view that defamation should
not be made a non‐criminal offence.
2. Reason stated by Centre is that the defamer may be
too poor to compensate the victim and this is the only
way to deter online defamation in times with
uncensored internet.
NGT to take a call on banning diesel vehicles
1. NGT had earlier extended the deadline on Govt’s
request regarding implementation of NGT order of
banning 10 year old diesel vehicles from plying in
NCR.
2. Govt. is also mulling on options like restricting the
number of cars to one per family.
3. Levying congestion charges on vehicles registered
outside Delhi.
4. Increasing registration charges, and a uniform vehicle
taxation policy for NCR to discourage private vehicles.

India out of slump: Jayant Sinha…. But how???
1. RBI is on an easing mode with interest rates down by
75 basis points.
2. More budgetary allocations for capital expenditure
and public investments which would catalyse private
investments.
3. Stepped up investments in road infra, ports, coal
production and renewable energy sector.
4. Structural reforms like GST and Land Acquisition Bill.
Playing distress cries over amplifiers to keep
animals at bay
1. With the failure of traditional methods like bursting
crackers, firing in the air to keep animals away from
crop lands, scientists have resorted to the use of
bioacoustics.
2. Numerous calls of animals are taken and put in a
sequence that sends out messages of warning and
thus keeping animals away without harming them in
any way.

Protests continue to rock Manipur
1. Fearing they will become minority in their own state if
ILP is not implemented, locals launched a campaign to
get it implemented.
2. Inner Line Permit is currently in operation in Mizoram,
Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland and is a system
making it mandatory for Indian citizens to seek
permission for entering the State.
India, Kyrgyzstan plan anti‐terror pact
1. India and Kyrgyzstan signed agreements on boosting
defence cooperation, culture and holding annual joint
military exercises.
2. MoUs were signed for cooperation between the
Election Commissions and in the sphere of Standards.
3. Kyrgyzstan also supported India’s candidature for
permanent membership in UNSC.

SAARC satellite launch likely in December
2016
Satellite to provide communication and meteorological
services to SAARC member‐countries.
India, Tajikistan to intensify anti‐terror
cooperation
1. There was a mention that the two countries are
located in the “proximity of the main source” of the
menace – Pak & Afghanistan.
2. Two agreements signed in areas of culture and skill
development.

Dip in Darjeeling tea output likely
1. Production of Darjeeling tea may drop by around 10
per cent this year due to heavy downpour and the
recent landslides.
2. Tea is grown at high altitudes and on the slopes of the
Himalayan range.
3. The unique muscatel aroma of exotic Darjeeling tea
comes from a combination of locational climate, soil
conditions, altitude and the processing of the leaves.
Why exclusivity over CEC and EC
appointments, asks SC
1. SC asked Govt. why there is an ‘exclusive role’ of
Govt. in appointing CEC and EC and suggested that 3
member body of PM, LOP & CJI can appoint them like
in case of CVC.
2. This comes in the backdrop of the govt. justifying the
NJAC that the collegium’s exclusive right to appoint
judges was illegal.

Satellite‐based navigation system to benefit
50 airports in India
1. GPS‐Aided Geo Augmented Navigation (GAGAN)
system, will offer navigation over the country, the Bay
of Bengal, South East Asia, Middle East and up to
Africa.
2. Benefits are improved efficiency, direct routes,
increased fuel savings, approach with vertical
guidance at runways, significant cost savings
3. It bridges the gap in the coverage areas of the
European Union’s EGNOS and Japan’s MSAS.
Deal pits Tsipras against own party
1. After marathon talks, Eurozone leaders agreed to
offer Greece third bailout package worth Euro 68
Billion on July 13.
2. Alexis Tsipras finds himself in a Catch22 situation,
where he cannot ignore austerity if he has to get
Eurozone bailout package and cannot accept austerity
measures if he has to fulfil his election promises.

Retail inflation up 5.4 per cent in June
1. CPI inflation rose in June 2015 to 5.4 per cent from
5.01 per cent in May.
2. CPI inflation in urban India stood at 4.5 per cent in
June while it was 6.1 per cent in rural India.
3. The acceleration in the CPI comes at a time when
industrial production is slowing.
History | July 14, 2015
Indian Art occupies an exalted position in the
realm of ancient world. How?
1. The Greeks excelled in the portrayal of the physical
charm of the human body;
2. The Egyptians in the grandeur of their pyramids and
3. The Chinese in the beauty of their landscapes.
4. We, the Indians? Well we were unsurpassed in
transmitting the spiritual contents into their plastic
forms embodying the high ideals and the common
beliefs of the people!

[cd explains] Atomic Energy Regulatory Board
– What’s going on here?

[cd explains] Mudra Bank: Funding the
Unfunded

[cd explains] The Three Judges Case

Indian art is not realistic – they are imagined
and idealised. Why do we say so?
No one had actually seen the major gods like Rama,
Krishna, Vishnu and Shiva, etc. But according to their
description in the scriptures the Indian artists visualised
them as shown generally standing erect, signifying
mental, physical and spiritual equilibrium. Hence!

Tracing the origins of the cult of painting in
India
1. The earliest examples of miniature painting in India
(11th – 12th centuary) –
2. Eastern India – Illustrations to the religious texts on
Buddhism executed under the Palas.
3. Western India – Illustrations in Jain texts.
4. Then, during the 15th century the Persian style of
painting started influencing the Western Indian style
of painting. How can we say that?
CSK, RR owners out of IPL for 2 years
1. SC suspended India Cements Ltd. (ICL) (CSK owner)
and Jaipur IPL Cricket Private Ltd. (JIPL) (RR owner)
from the League for two years.
2. SC also imposed life ban on Gurunath Meiyappan and
Raj Kundra.
3. BCCI to decide if teams may play under new owners.

Stagger office hours to cut pollution: NGT
NGT mooted the idea of variable working hours for the
government and private sector to reduce vehicular
pollution in the Capital during peak hours.
River linking crucial for water security
1. River inter‐linking programme is crucial for water and
food security and water‐surplus States should
cooperate in the spirit of goodwill.
2. Ken‐Betwa link will be operational by year end.
3. Other proposed links are – Par‐Tapi‐Narmada link,
Damanganga‐Pinjal link, Mahanadi‐Godavari link, Kosi‐
Ghagra link, Manas‐Sankosh‐Teesta‐Ganga link.

Govt. clears Naval P‐8Is and air defence guns
for Army
1. Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) cleared deals
worth about 30,000 crore for new platforms and
several upgrades for the Army and the Navy.
2. Additional P‐8I maritime patrol and surveillance
aircraft for the Navy and new air defence guns for the
army were the major deals cleared.
Iran reaches historic nuclear deal
1. The deal puts strict limits on Iran’s nuclear activities
for at least a decade and calls for stringent U.N.
oversight.
2. The international arms embargo against Iran will
remain for five years but deliveries would be possible
with special permission of the UNSC.
3. Sanctions had slashed Tehran’s oil exports by a
quarter and choked its economy.

Space out fund‐raising plans, PSU banks told
1. Welcoming the Govt’s move to allocate additional Rs.
12,000 crore to the PSU lenders, RBI DG said that
PSU banks need to space out their plans to raise
funds and avoid crowding the markets.
2. The State‐owned banks alone would need an
additional Rs.2.5 lakh crore to meet the Basel‐III
norms by March 2019.
Centre to set up trade facilitation council to
promote exports
1. Govt will set up a trade facilitation council comprising
members of the Centre and states to promote India’s
overseas shipments with an objective of facilitating
trade from states in a bid to boost the country’s
exports.
2. States will also be encouraged to set up a State Trade
Policy in order to streamline procedures and increase
exports.

Big surge in FII inflows in 2014‐15
1. FII inflows surged a record 717% to $40.92 billion in
2014‐15 and FDI inflows jumped 48% since the
launch of ‘Make In India’ initiative in Sep 2014.2.
2. Major reasons are allowing easy exit norms in
construction sector, hike to 49% FDI in pension and
insurance sector and to 100% in railway infrastructure
(excluding operations).
Kumbh Mela begins in Nashik
1. The mega religious congregation is held every 12
years in Nashik on the banks of the Godavari.
2. The main features of the festival are the three ‘Shahi
Snans’ (royal bathing days) that are scheduled on Aug
26 (Shravan Purnima), Sep 13 (Bhadrapad Amavasya)
and Sep 18 (Bhadrapad Shukla Panchami).
Discuss: Google up for the places in India which hold up
Kumbh melas.

India welcomes Iran deal, wary of implications
1. India and Iran have an annual bilateral trade of about
$14 billion with high balance of trade problem due to
sanctions in past.
2. Benefits for India could be cheaper oil imports from
Iran and access to Afghanistan through Chabahar
port.
3. Worries are that it could affect India‐Israel relations,
backlash from Saudi Arabia could lead to closer
nuclear cooperation with Pak and Iran’s preferential
treatment could go to Russia, China, US and Europe.
WPI continues to fall
1. (WPI) inflation dipped marginally in June 2015 to
‐2.4% from ‐2.36% in May, and 5.66 % in June 2014,
remaining negative for 7 consecutive months.
2. Fall is attributed to the deceleration in food prices
even as there is a marginal uptick in fuel and power
inflation.

[Discuss] The Saudi Cable leaks – The end of
hypocrisy?
Last week, over 60,000 documents from Saudi Arabia
were leaked online. Hosted on Wikileaks, the cables
contain high level diplomatic and classified information.
This leak is likely retaliation for what many are calling
indiscriminate bombing by the Saudi Arabian government
in Yemen, in an attempt to wipe out Houthi rebels who
recently overtook the Yemeni … Continue reading
(http://www.civilsdaily.com/the‐end‐of‐hypocrisy/)
States want freedom to frame their own land
acquisition laws
1. Centre agreed to consider a demand from the States
that they be allowed the flexibility to frame their own
laws for land acquisitions
2. Govt is mulling to go slow on land acquisition bill as
GST is the priority in the next Parliament session.

SC refuses to lift stay on States’ power to
release lifers
1. SC refused to lift its order staying State governments
from releasing life convicts on remission of sentences.
2. Few states had challenged in SC the Union
government’s position that they can release life
convicts or death row convicts whose sentences were
commuted to life only after permission from the
Centre, especially in cases investigated by a Central
agency.
Review drug pricing policy: SC
1. SC observed that the Govt’s Drug Price Control Order
favours pharmaceutical companies and is not pro‐
poor.
2. Directed the govt to have a re‐look at the policy to
help make life‐saving medicines affordable for the
common man.
3. An NGO had raised the issue that the DPCO excluded
life‐saving medicines for diseases such as malaria and
TB and all fixed dose combinations which amount to
50 per cent of the market.
Discuss: What is DPCO ‐ who handles these affairs?

Ottappalam to have India’s first defence
industrial park
1. With an eye on indigenization and modernization of
defence items, DIPP has approved a proposal to set
up the country’s first defence industrial park at
Ottappalam.
2. Defence components manufacturing sector has
demand estimated at $700 million a year from India
and other countries having friendly relationship with
it. The defence park can help to bridge the gap of 15
per cent between demand and supply.
90% of enclave dwellers give choice of nation
India and Bangladesh will complete a survey asking each
of the 51,000 people living in 162 enclaves on the border
to give their choice of citizenship of either nation.

Greek Parliament votes as IMF calls for debt
relief
1. The Greek Parliament must approve the deal before
the 18 other Eurozone leaders start negotiations over
the third and three‐year bailout worth up to €86
billion.
2. Eurozone governments will contribute between €40
and 50 billion, the IMF will contribute another chunk
and the rest will come from selling off state assets and
from financial markets.
RBI sets up panel on financial inclusion
1. The panel would suggest a `monitorable’ medium‐
term action plan for financial inclusion in payments,
deposit, credit, social security transfers, pension and
insurance.

India can be world’s HR capital: PM
1. PM launched National Skill Development Mission, the
National Policy for Skill Development and
Entrepreneurship 2015, Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas
Yojana and Skill Loan scheme on World Youth Skill
Day.
2. With an aim to train 40 crore people in various skills
by 2022, PM pitched for making India a ‘human
resource capital’ of the world.
Controversial Bill on migrants goes
1. A special session of the Manipur Assembly on
Wednesday withdrew the Manipur Regulation of
Visitors, Tenants and Migrant Workers Bill, 2015.
2. The Bill did not provide for same protections as Inner
Line Permit system and the Meitis community – the
most powerful community – demanded regulation of
outsiders to maintain their grip on power.

Exports dip further
1. India’s exports dipped further by ‐15.8 % in June to
$22.28 billion, marking the seventh straight month of
contraction.
2. The sectors worst hit were petroleum products,
engineering, leather and leather good, and chemicals.
Free speech muzzled, apex court told
1. Countering the Govt’s stand of not de‐criminalising
defamation, many political leaders argued in the SC
that criminal defamation was against Article 19 (1).
2. They opined that it hampered the public debate of
matters in the public domain.

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your affection!
Discuss: In some of the cards, you will see the website
story links ‐ that is the new awesome innovation from our
side. You will be able to read all the related cards from
there on.
[Announcement] Abhijit Thorat (AIR 478) on
strategies to Crack Pre 2015
1. Without further ado – visit the civilsdaily.com website
to read about this topper’s strategy to crack Pre.
2. Abhijit would be available at civilsdaily.com for
answering some of your queries so please head to the
site now.

Now Aam Aadmi canteens
1. Targeting lower strata of society like construction
workers, street hawkers and slum dwellers, Delhi govt.
is planning to open canteens for them.
2. These canteens will provide them with subsidized 3
time meals.
3. Such canteens are already operational in Tamil Nadu
and Odisha.
Soil Health Card scheme takes off gingerly
1. Centre launched web portals for Soil Health Cards
(SHC), organic products certification and fertilizer
quality.
2. Most of the states are lagging behind in their 2015‐16
targets of issuing SHC.
3. SHC provides information to farmers, every 3 years,
about the suitability of macro and micro‐nutrients
based on the type of soil in their farm.

SC seeks Centre’s reply on re‐promulgation of
land ordinance
1. Acting on a petition filed with it, the SC asked the
Center reason for re‐promulgation of Land Acquisition
Ordinance.
2. In the famous Cooper case, the SC had said that re‐
promulgating ordinances without getting them passed
in the Parliament/Legislature is against the ethos of
the Constitution.
Cabinet nod to redevelop 400 major railway
stations
1. The Cabinet approved the redevelopment of 400
major railway stations, under a new method called the
“Swiss Challenge”.
2. A1 and A category stations, generally in metros,
pilgrimage and major tourist centres and major cities,
would be redeveloped under the method.
3. The Railways classify the 7000 stations into seven
categories based on earnings.

Japan passes security bills despite stiff
opposition
1. The Lower House of Japan’s Parliament passed the
Bill seeking to enlarge the scope of Japan’s military.
2. Sanctions were imposed on Japan’s military post
World War II.
Europe set to restore funding to Greece
1. Satisfied with the Greek Parliament’s approval to
austerity measures, Europe is ready to provide the
next bailout package.
2. However, the Parliamentary approval resulted in a
revolt in the ruling Syriza party which could lead to
snap elections in the next few months.

39 more drugs come under Drug Price Control
Order
1. In an effort to make them affordable, 39 drugs used
to treat diabetes, infections, digestive disorders and
pain were included in the DPCO.
2. Already, 652 medicines are under price control.
3. The overall impact for the companies will be minimal
as these drugs do not form significant part of their
overall sales.
RBI directs banks to meet farm credit limit
1. Banks have to lend 40% of their Net Bank Credit as
Priority Sector Lending (PSL).
2. In an effort to increase direct lending to agriculture,
the target for lending to small and marginal farmers
has been set as 7% for 2015‐16 and 8% for 2016‐17.
3. RBI had also added medium enterprises, social
infrastructure and renewable energy in the PSL
category.

Govt lists 8 new bills for Monsoon session
1. The NDA government will introduce 8 new bills and
take up 11 pending bills for consideration beginning
21 July.
2. The list includes the controversial Land bill, but is
unlikely to be taken up owing to non‐consensus of the
joint committee.
Discuss: We will keep an eye on these bills ‐ see if a few
of them take up some heat or not!
Obama defends Iran nuclear deal, Israel
declares it a big mistake
1. President Obama said the Iran nuclear deal is the only
way to avert a nuclear arms race in the Middle East
and reduce chances of war.
2. The deal announced on Tuesday offers to roll back
economic sanctions on Iran if it scales down its
nuclear program.
3. Israel PM Netanyahu has called this move to amicably
suppress Iran a mistake of historic proportions.

[Request] Update your app from the Playstore
1. We have worked very hard for one full month to
come up with a major update on the app.
2. Please go to the Playstore and UPDATE.
3. We can still see some of you using the older Version 3
and you have no idea how cool the Version 4 is.
4. Click the link below – it should take you to the
playstore.
[Update] CSE 2014 toppers are trying to reach
out to you
1. One of important reason why we asked for your login
details was that we want our toppers to be able to talk
to you.
2. Satish (AIR 97) and Abhijit (AIR 478) have been core
members at civilsdaily and they are replying to queries
on their blog @ civilsdaily.com
3. Please check on the *promotion* tab and read emails
from Rini Roy & Civilsdaily.
4. Mark them Important & Move them to your inbox so
that you receive all our important emails.
Discuss: This is very very important. Hope you are all on
the latest version of the app!

[cd explains] GST: Good for business, snag for
federalism?
1. In the current tax regime, States tax sale of goods but
not services.
2. The Centre taxes manufacturing and services but not
wholesale/retail trade.
3. The GST is expected to usher in a uniform tax regime
across India.
4. GST, by subsuming an array of indirect taxes under
one rubric will help simplify tax administration.
Discuss: Click on the story link below to read the
connected dots.
Govt. firm on 1% additional tax over the GST.
What for?
1. 1% additional tax over the GST is to compensate for
the revenue loss of manufacturing states who have
made investments.
2. It will be levied for 2 years.
3. Remember – GST is a destination based tax system
unlike origin based tax systems like VAT.

Confusion over the Constitutional role of CJI
1. The confusion is that is he the Chief Justice of the
Supreme Court or the Chief Justice of India?
2. As per Schedule 3 of the Constitution, CJI takes oath
as any other SC Judge but under Article 124, he is
referred to as the Chief Justice of India.
Discuss: Why is this confusion bothering? What are the
implications?
Interest subvention scheme for exporters
likely. Why?
1. Amidst declining global demand and depreciating
currencies, India’s exports fell by 15.82% in June – 7
consecutive declining month.
2. Now planning to launch loans with subsidized interest
rates to bolster the exports.
Discuss: What is Interest Subvention scheme?
th

Iran promises preferential treatment to Indian
investors
1. With the lifting up of sanctions, Iran is looking towards
India for huge investments.
2. Major areas where India can invest are – Chabahar
port, railways infrastructure, gas & oil projects
especially the Farzad B oilfields, fertilizer and
petrochemical projects.
China slams Japan over the Security Bills
1. A day after Japan’s Lower House passed Bill seeking
enlargement of its military’s role, China slammed the
decision by saying that Japan is moving back to the
pre World War II war mode.
2. China and Japan do not share warm relations and the
passage of this Bill will further add fuel to the fire.

German Bundestag passes the resolution to
initiate talks with Greece
1. A day after Greece agreed on the austerity measures,
German Lawmakers agreed to initiate talks regarding
the Euro 86 Billion bailout package.
2. Germany is one of several EU countries whose
Parliaments must sign off any debt deal for Greece.
3. This German vote was only about resuming official
talks — a final deal with Greece will also need the
assembly’s approval.
Discuss: German Parliament is called Bundestag and
elects the Chancellor unlike in India where the leader of
the majority party becomes the PM.
[Toppers Speak] Satish Reddy (AIR 97) on
Ecology & Geography
1. Exhaustive write up with memory aids on the website.
Follow the link on the announcement tab at
civilsdaily.com
2. Satish should be able to take up a few questions
pertinent to these two subjects and the PRE 2015.
3. This is one of the most crucial aspects of the
preparation. Make sure you get all your doubts
cleared.
Discuss: These toppers were once an aspirants just like
you. They are sharing their strategies so that you may
benefit at large. Use the oppty. well.

Andhra Pradesh plans to acquire INS Viraat.
Why?
1. In an effort to promote tourism, AP is trying to acquire
INS Viraat once it is decommissioned in 2016 after
serving for 56 years.
2. The plan is to convert it into a museum or hotel or a
mini‐township in a PPP mode.
Discuss: INS Viraat is the last British ship serving the
Indian Navy and was commissioned in 1987.
Does the price control provide better access
to medicines?
1. With the price control having limited impact on
patient access to medicines, emphasis should be on
improving healthcare infrastructure and universal
insurance coverage.
2. Price control under DPCO decreases profit margins
and smaller companies shift to non‐controlled
medicines leading to monopolies in essential
medicines.
3. It has also resulted in decline in India’s production of
Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) like penicillin.
India now depends on China for that.

Experts bat for space law. What is the need?
1. With growing space programmes and objects in space
orbits, such a law is needed to ensure that space
assets and applications are used for the right causes.
2. Space laws could include a regulator for compensation
for harm caused by space objects, registration &
licensing of private firms, insurance, investor disputes,
environmental damage, IPR issues etc.
Discuss: 15 countries including US, Russia, China, Japan
have laws based broadly on the Outer Space Treaty of
1967.
China to participate in Indian International
Fleet Review
1. Despite maritime friction, China will participate in
Indian International Fleet Review (IFR) to be held in
Feb’16 in Vishakhapatnam.
2. India and China will exchange visits of naval ships and
hold PASSEX [passing exercises] and SAR [search and
rescue] exercises.

Can waste be converted to energy? The
answer is ‘Pyrolysis’!
1. Pyrolysis is thermo‐chemical decomposition of organic
material at elevated temperatures in the absence of
oxygen.
2. All organic waste, plastics and synthetic rubber can be
treated. The end result is bio‐char and fuel – the
much needed precious resource.
3. Bio‐char is an excellent form of carbon useful in soil
amendment as a fertility additive. In solid form it can
be safely stored in ground as carbon sequestration.
Discuss: Less than 1% of Sweden’s household waste ends
up in a rubbish dump; the rest is recycled in different
ways.
Initiating you into the world of Indian Wall
Paintings
1. The earliest examples of Indian painting, that we find
evidence of, are on the walls of some of the caves at
these 3 places.
2. Kaimur Range of Central India, Vindhya Hills and
some places in Uttar Pradesh.
3. What exactly were the fine gentlemen of that era
painting about?
4. Nothing fancy – just old records of wild animals, war
processions, hunting games!
Discuss: The website has more descriptive write ups on
Art & Culture. Follow the whole story as it develops.

Let’s explore Ajanta Caves in peace, shall we?
1. The theme of Ajanta, as you would agree, covers a lot
about the Buddhist culture. Take this as an
opportunity to revisit the best of both world.
2. These caves were discovered by an Army Officer in
the Madras Regiment of the British Army in 1819
during one of his hunting expeditions.
3. Three striking features of Ajanta Caves and a few
questions on this theme.
Discuss: Go click the story link and read connected cards.
Now, Israeli help for Ganga
1. Israel has offered help in water management through
reuse, recycling and distribution management in
Ganga cleaning programme and cities under Smart
Cities Mission and AMRUT Scheme.
2. Israel has also offered to streamline the water
management and distribution services considering
losses made by water utilities and high volume of non‐
revenue water.
Discuss: Did you know? Israel treats 80 per cent of its
domestic wastewater, which is recycled for agricultural
use.

Germany rules out debt relief
1. Germany made it clear that no part of Greek debt
would be forgiven. However, Berlin was open for a
flexible repayment plan.
2. IMF had earlier criticized the Greek bailout proposals
and urged the creditors to give some kind of upfront
debt relief.
Can the ‘National Solar Mission’ & ‘Make in
India’ converge?
1. The 100 GW solar target will result in much (~25%) of
our power supply being ‘Made in India’ besides
generating more than a million new jobs.
2. Power purchase agreements for solar power are
signed for 25 years, with no provision for tariff
revision disproving the claims that solar power is
expensive.
3. Moreover, MSMEs, worst hit by power shortages, can
meet a portion of their demand through in‐house
rooftop solar power.
Discuss: Promoting electricity generation from Solar PV
will decrease our dependence on vulnerable geopolitics
of fossil fuel trade.

Civilsdaily digest july 2015

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Civilsdaily digest july 2015