Wednesday 31 January 2018

Download Economic Survey 2018 in Hindi and English

India's economy should grow between 7 percent and 7.5 percent in the 2018/19 (April-March) with exports and private investment set to rebound, the country's top finance ministry economist said in a report presented on Monday. 



The Economic Survey, which sets the stage for Finance Minister Arun Jaitley's annual budget on Thursday, forecast that economic management will be challenging in the coming year. 

The survey was prepared by the finance ministry's Chief Economic Adviser Arvind Subramanian, who estimates that gross domestic product will have grown 6.75 percent in the current fiscal year ending in March.



For UPSC civil Service exam Economic survey is important so here you can download economic survey in both the language .



Wednesday 24 January 2018

Humans Rights

Human Rights are those rights to which all humans are entitled merely by virtue of being humans. They are the inalienable and inviolable rights of all human beings. They derive from the inherent dignity of human beings. They are essential for human survival and human development.

 Universal Declaration of Human Rights 

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1948. This declaration represents the first international expression of human rights to which all human beings are entitled. 

It is described as the “International Magna Carta”. The declaration consists of 30 articles which can be divided into four parts. 

These are explained below. 

The first two articles contain the basic principles underlying all human rights. Thus, they state as follows: 

Article 1 : All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. 

Article 2 : Everyone is entitled to all the human rights and freedoms, without distinction of any kind such as race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. 

Articles 3 to 21 consist of civil and political rights. They are as under: 

Article 3 : Right to life, liberty and security 

Article 4 : Freedom from slavery and servitude 

Article 5 : Freedom from torture and inhuman punishment 

Article 6 : Right to recognition as a person before the law 

Article 7 : Right to equality before the law 

Article 8 : Right to judicial remedy 

Article 9 : Freedom from arbitrary arrest or exile 

Article 10 : Right to a fair trial and public hearing 

Article 11 : Right to be presumed innocent until proved guilty 

Article 12 : Right to privacy and reputation 

Article 13 : Right to freedom of movement 

Article 14 : Right to seek asylum 

Article 15 : Right to a nationality 

Article 16 : Right to marriage and family protection 

Article 17 : Right to own property 

Article 18 : Freedom of thought, conscience and religion 

Article 19 : Freedom of opinion, expression and information 

Article 20 : Freedom of peaceful assembly and association 

Article 21 : Right to participate in government and equal access to public service 

Articles 22 to 27 contain economic, social and cultural rights. 

They are mentioned below: 

Article 22 : Right to social security 

Article 23 : Right to work and equal pay for equal work 

Article 24 : Right to rest and leisure 

Article 25 : Right to adequate standard of living for health and well-being including food, clothing, housing, medical care, social services and security. 

Article 26 : Right to education 

Article 27 : Right to participate in cultural life of community 

The last three articles specify the context within which all the human rights are to be enjoyed. Thus, they state as under: 

Article 28 : Everyone is entitled to a social and international order in which the above rights and freedoms can be fully realised. 

Article 29 : The exercise of the above rights and freedoms shall be limited for the purpose of securing recognition and respect for the rights and freedoms of others and for meeting the requirements of morality, public order and general welfare. 

Article 30 : No state, group or person has any right to engage in any activity aimed at the destruction of the above rights and freedoms. 

International Bill of Human Rights Later on, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights was bifurcated into two separate covenants, namely, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights. 

The human rights and freedoms contained in the Universal Declaration have been further developed and elaborated upon in these two covenants. Both the covenants were adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1966 and came into force in 1976. 

In addition to the above two detailed covenants, two Optional Protocols to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights were also adopted by the UN General Assembly. The First Optional Protocol was adopted in 1966 itself while the Second Optional Protocol was adopted in 1989. The First Optional Protocol provides for the submission of complaints by individuals whose human rights have been violated by a State party. The Second Optional Protocol, on the other hand, advocates the abolition of the death penalty. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and its two Optional Protocols, and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights constitute what is now widely regarded as the “International Bill of Human Rights”.

 Other International Conventions The International Bill of Human Rights has been further supplemented by various other international treaties, conventions and declarations. They are usually regarded as “human rights instruments”. 

They are specialised in nature and related to either a particular human right or to a specific vulnerable group. 

The important among them are as follows: 

  1. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (1966)
  2. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (1979)
  3.  Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (1984)
  4.  Declaration on the Right to Development (1986)
  5. Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989)
  6. Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families (1990)
  7. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2006)

Human Rights in India The Constitution of India has a rich content of human right

The Preamble, the Fundamental Rights and the Directive Principles of State Policy reflect the principles and provisions of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948). 

The four ideals of the Preamble are aimed at the promotion of human rights. They are as under: 
  1. Justice in social, economic and political spheres 
  2. Liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship 
  3. Equality of status and opportunity 
  4. Fraternity assuring the dignity of the individual 
The Fundamental Rights under Part-III of the Constitution contain an elaborate list of civil and political rights divided into six categories: 

  1. Right to equality 
  2. Right to freedom 
  3. Right against exploitation 
  4. Right to freedom of religion 
  5. Cultural and educational rights 
  6. Right to constitutional remedies 
The Directive Principles of State Policy in Part-IV of the Constitution comprise economic, social and cultural rights. They can be classified into three broad categories, viz., 
  1. Socialistic Principles 
  2. Gandhian Principles 
  3. Liberal-Intellectual Principles 
Besides the Fundamental Rights included in Part-III, there are certain other rights contained in other parts of the Constitution—for example, the right to property in Part-XII of the Constitution. 

In the course of time, the Supreme Court has also expanded the scope of human rights contained in the Fundamental Rights. It declared a number of human rights as integral part of fundamental rights, though they have not been specifically mentioned in Part-III of the Constitution. 

The examples of such un-enumerated fundamental rights are right to health, right to speedy trial, right against torture, right to privacy, right to travel abroad, right to free legal aid, and so on. 

In addition to these, the various laws enacted by the Parliament and the State Legislatures contain a number of human rights, particularly for the vulnerable sections of the society. Some such laws are the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, the Protection of Civil Rights Act, the Persons with Disabilities Act, the Minimum Wages Act, and so on. Finally, the Protection of Human Rights Act (1993) defines human rights in India as the rights relating to life, liberty, equality and dignity of the individual guaranteed by the Constitution or embodied in the International Covenants and enforceable by courts in India. 

Further, it also defined the International Covenants as the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 16th December, 1996 and such other Covenant or Convention adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations as the Central Government may, by notifications, specify. The Indian Government acceded to these two International Covenants on April 10, 1979. 

The Constitution of India and the laws of Parliament as well as state legislatures not only consist of several human rights but also provide for the establishment of national and state commissions for the protection and promotion of those rights. 

National Commissions Related to Human Rights 

Name of the Commission

Established Under

1. National Commission for SCs
Constitution (Article 338) 

2. National Commission for STs
Constitution (Article 338-A) 

3.Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities

Constitution (Article 350-B) 

4. National Human Rights Commission

The Protection of Human Rights Act,1993 

5. National Commission for Protection of Child Rights           
The Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005                                                                                                       
6. National Commission for Women

The National Commission for Women Act, 1990 

7. National Commission for Minorities
The National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992 

8. National Commission for Backward Classes
The National Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1993
 9. Central Commissioner for Disabled
Persons The Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995 

State Commissions Related to Human Rights

Sr No
Name of the Commission
Established Under
1.
State Human Rights Commission
The Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993

2.
State Commission for Protection of Child Rights
The Commissions for Protection of Child Rights Act, 2005

3.
State Commissioner for Disabled Persons
The Persons with Disabilities Act, 1995

4.
State Commission for SCs and STs
Act of the State Legislature or Executive Resolution of the State Government

5.
State Commission for Women of the State Government

Act of the State Legislature or Executive
6.
State Commission for Minorities
Resolution Act of the State Legislature or Executive Resolution of the State Government

7.
State Commission for Backward Classes
Act of the State Legislature or Executive Resolution of the State Government

Sunday 21 January 2018

India admitted to Australia Group

India on Friday joined the Australia Group, saying the membership will be mutually benefitcial.

 The Ministry of External Aairs (MEA) said India’s entry into the group, which aims to prevent proliferation of biological and chemical weapons, would ensure a more secure world. 

“The Australia Group decided to admit India as its 43rd participant. India would like to thank each of the participants. Its entry would be mutually benefi­ cial and further contribute to international security and non­proliferation objectives,” MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, praising the role of the former head of the group Jane Hardy. 

Earlier, in a separate statement, the Australia Group said India’s membership would help to counter the “spread of materials, equipment and technologies that could contribute to the development or acquisition of chemical/biological weapons.”

 Diplomats said the entry is a show of support from the international community for India’s non ­proliferation records. 
 “India’s entry into the Australia Group shows our export controls and safeguards for biological and chemical agents, equipment and technologies meet the benchmarks established by the international community,” said Rakesh Sood, a former Special Envoy of the Prime Minister for Disarmament and Non­Proliferation. 

India joined the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) in 2016 and the Wassenaar Arrangement (WA) last year.  

Thursday 18 January 2018

Urban Heat Island



  causes , solutions ,pdf , mitigation ,ppt ,case study , upsc , urban heatland wikipedia

What is Urban Heat Island ?
                
The Urban Heat Island is an urban area that is significantly warmer than its surroundings rural area due ti its Human activities. This effect is known as urban heat island effect.




Reasons for the Formation of Urban Heat Island 

  1. Concentration of heavy vehicular and industrial pollution in urban Areas.

  2. Discharge of greenhouse gases (CHG.) in substantial amounts, which trap the outgoing infrared radiations. 

  3. Tall buildings and other Infrastructure which obstruct the flow of wind is, consequently obstructing the transfer of Heat. 

  4. Lack of vegetation in urban areas which acts as heat and carbon sink. 

  5.  Majority of urban surfaces are composed of metals, glass, concrete or asphalt. These materials have high heat-retaining capacity during the day and emit this heat out during the night. 

  6. The inability of water to penetrate the above materials makes the urban landscape behave as desert landscape. 
Effects of UHIs 

  1. UHI have the potential to directly affect the health of urban  residents. UHI witness prolonged heat waves which result in  higher fatalities due to heat stroke,exhaustion heatcramps, etc. 

  2. UHI have varied effects on biodiversity. The variation In temperatures adversely affect local species and promote the invasion of alien species.

  3.  The raised temperature may elevate the temperature of local water bodies causing the aquatic animals to undergo thermal stress and shock. 

  4. The increased temperatures provide fertile breeding ground for insects, which bring a host of diseases along with them. 

  5. UHI create a spike in energy consumption duo to higher use of refrigerated air  conditionals. 

  6. UHI can alter load weather conditions arch as wind, Humidity,  and rainfall
Mitigation Strategies 

  1. The effects of UHI can he diluted to some Extend  by applying  techniques to maintain a large albedo. Larger albedo means higher  ability to reflect radiations. The buildings and ether dark Surfaces (asphalt) could be painted with a light colour or with a high reflective coating. 

  2. Green roofs (roofs with plants and vegetation) on top of buildings help lower down the temperature and compensate to some extent for the loss of vegetation. Beside green roof, roof sprinklers in reducing temperature of evaporation. 

  3. Increasing area wider natural vegetation and reclaiming waste lands to develop green belts may also help in reducing the effects of UHl.

  4. While deciding urban architecture, wind flow should be given priority. Urban architecture should be least detrimental to natural Wind flow. 


Govt. to revisit Malimath report



                  A 2003 report of a Committee on reforms in the criminal justice system that recommended admissibility of confessions made before a police oofficer as evidence in a court of law is being revisited by the Centre, a senior government offcial said. The Committee on Reforms of the Criminal Justice System, or the Justice Malimath Committee, was  constituted by the Home Ministry in 2000 by then Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani, who also held the Home portfolio. It was headed by Justice V.S. Malimath, former Chief Justice of the Karnataka and Kerala High Courts.  DGP conference

          The Commitee’s report was discussed at the annual Directors General of Police (DGP) conference  held at Tekanpur in Madhya Pradesh earlier this month at which Prime Minister Narendra Modi was present.  Mr. Modi attended the presentation made by Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) DG R.K Pachnanda on the Committee’s recommendations. Senior police ocers also briefed the Prime Minister on internal security. Asked if the government would implement the recommendations, Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju said, “Consultations will be held with the Law Ministry. Home Ministry cannot implement the report on its own.”

The Malimath panel had made 158 recommendations but these were never implemented. 

The subsequent UPA governments from 2004 to 2014 did not act on the report either. Judges’ impeachment The Committee also suggested constituting a National Judicial Commission and amending Article 124 to make impeachment of judges less difficult.

Friday 5 January 2018

Several important schemes for development of women and children are being implemented by WCD Ministry


The Ministry of Women and Child Development is implementing various schemes/programmes for empowerment of women and development of children across the country. The details of those schemes are as follows:

For Women empowerment:
  1. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP), a comprehensive programme is being implemented to address the declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) and related issues of empowerment of women over a life-cycle continuum.
  2. Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), {erstwhile Maternity Benefit Programme} has been contributing towards better enabling environment by providing cash incentives for improved health and nutrition to pregnant and nursing mothers.
  3. Scheme for Adolescent Girls aims at girls in the age group 11-18, to empower and improve their social status through nutrition, life skills, home skills and vocational training.

  1. Pradhan Mantri Mahila Shakti Kendra scheme, promote community participation through involvement of Student Volunteers for empowerment of rural women.

  1. National Creche Scheme to provide day care facilities to children of age group of 6 months to 6 years of working women who are employed.

  1. Rastriya Mahila Kosh (RMK) to provide micro-credit to poor women for various livelihood support and income generating activities at concessional terms in a client-friendly procedure to bring about their socio-economic development.
  2. Swadhar Greh to provide relief and rehabilitation to destitute women and women in distress.

  1. Ujjawala, a Comprehensive Scheme for prevention of trafficking and for rescue, rehabilitation, re-integration and repatriation of victims of trafficking for commercial sexual exploitation.

  1. Working Women Hostels for ensuring safe accommodation for women working away from their place of residence. Under this scheme, 2 new proposals have been received and 2 sanctioned in Himachal Pradesh during last three years.

  1. Schemes of One Stop Centre (OSC) and Women Helpline (WH) are being implemented to facilitate access to an integrated range of services including medical aid, police assistance, legal aid/ case management, psychosocial counseling and temporary support services to women affected by violence.

  1. Gender Budgeting Scheme is being implemented as a tool for mainstreaming gender perspective at various stages of planning, budgeting, implementation, impact assessment and revisiting of policy/programme objectives and allocations. The Scheme helps in strengthening of institutional mechanisms and training of various stakeholders so as to mainstream gender concerns in Central and State Governments.
For Child Development
  1. Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme is being implemented through States/UTs with the aim of holistic development of children upto 6 years of age and to meet nutritional needs of pregnant women and lactating mothers.

  1. Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS) (now Child protection Services) is being implemented through the State Government/UT Administrations to create a safe and secure environment for overall development of children in need of care and protection in urban and semi-urban areas.

  1. National Nutrition Mission (NNM): The Government of India has approved setting up of National Nutrition Mission (NNM) commencing from 2017-18.  The NNM, as an apex body, will monitor, supervise, fix targets and guide the nutrition related interventions across the Ministries.  The programme through the targets will strive to reduce the level of stunting, under-nutrition, anaemia and low birth weight babies. 

This information was given by Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Dr. Virendra Kumar in reply to a question in Rajya Sabha today.