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(Current Affairs) National Events | June: 2014

National Events

Interceptor Missile Test

  • India for the first time tested a state-of-the-art interceptor missile at supersonic speed that sought, to engage and destroy an incoming target missile at a very high altitude of 120-140 km over the Bay of Bengal.

  • Entirely new interceptor and target missiles have been developed by scientists of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for the upcoming engagement, to be conducted in exo-atmosphere (altitude above 40-50 km) on April 27 or 28. The test was originally planned to be conducted in November, 2013 but had been delayed since then.

  • Describing it as a “big challenge,” they said the interceptor’s “kill vehicle,” equipped with a dual seeker, would attack the payload (warhead portion) as it descends towards its intended target. The advantage of intercepting an incoming missile at such a high altitude was that the debris would not fall on the ground and there would be no collateral damage.

  • After some more trials, India plans to deploy a two-tiered Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) system to protect important cities from external threats. In the first phase, incoming enemy missiles of 2,000-km range are envisaged to be waylaid and destroyed, while those with about 5,000-km range would be tackled by the interceptors in the second phase.

  • So far, six of the seven interceptor missile tests, carried out by the DRDO, have been successful. While two interceptions were conducted in exo-atmopshere (altitudes between 47 and 80 km) the rest were in endo-atmosphere (below 40 km altitude).

Civil services trainees can take exam again this year

Civil services trainees can take exam again this year

Candidates who successfully cleared the civil services exams (CSE) 2012 and have joined induction training to various civil services can now write the CSE 2014.

The Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) has ruled that candidates who have cleared the CSE and have already joined training can now write the CSE 2014 in view of the recent relaxation in age and attempts made by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).

In February this year, the central government had granted two additional attempts to all categories of candidates to write the CSE with consequential age relaxation of the maximum age to sit for the exam.

Now candidates in the age group of 21 to 32 years can take the prestigious exam conducted by the UPSC.

(News) 32 Muslim students qualified out of 840 recommended for Civil Services Exam 2013

The percentage of the successful Muslim candidates in the recently announced results of the 2013 civil services examinations has crossed the barrier of 3 percent success rate as there are as many as 32 Muslim students out of 840 recommended for various services. Interestingly enough,8 of them belong to Jammu & Kashmir State which reeled under subversion and terrorism for more than two decades. There are only three Aligarians in the list of the successful candidates in the coveted examinations. Annual reports of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) carry detailed profiles of candidates belonging to the scheduled castes (SCs), scheduled tribes (STs), Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and the general category, but no separate data is available for Muslims.

Current Affairs for IAS Exams - 02 July 2014

Current Affairs for IAS Exams - 02 July 2014

Most unnatural deaths caused by road accidents, suicides

  • Road accidents are the biggest non-disease killers of men in the country and suicides the biggest killers of women, shows an analysis of National Crime Records Bureau data for 2013.

  • The NCRB data is a compilation of all deaths reported to the police in that year. The vast majority of deaths in the country, however, are on account of diseases, which the NCRB does not count. Of the 95 lakh annual deaths in the country in 2013, only 5.7 lakh people died of unnatural reasons such as murder, natural disaster, accident and suicide.

  • Road accidents killed over 1.17 lakh men in 2013, more than the number killed by the next two biggest causes of unnatural deaths — suicide and murder — put together. Train accidents and drowning round off the top five causes of unnatural deaths for men.

  • For women, however, suicides are the biggest cause of unnatural deaths, killing over 44,000 annually. Last year, an international study led by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation found that suicide had become the leading cause of death in women aged 15-49 in India, ahead of maternal disorders related to child birth, the historic big killer of women in developing countries.

  • Road accidents come next killing over 20,000 women annually, followed by fire, poisoning and murder.Accidents are a major cause of death among younger adults, but for those 60 and above, non-communicable diseases are the biggest cause of deaths. Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu account for a third of all road accidents. “Family problems” are the biggest official cause of suicides for both men and women.

(Written Result) UPSC: IES/ISS Examination - 2014

UPSC

Union Public Service Commission

Written Result - INDIAN ECONOMIC SERVICE/INDIAN STATISTICAL SERVICE EXAMINATION, 2014

On the basis of result of the written part of the Indian Economic Service/ Indian Statistical Service Examination, 2014 held by the Union Public Service Commission in May, 2014, the candidates as per the list of Roll Numbers have qualified for Interview/Personality Test:--

2. The candidature of these candidates is PROVISIONAL subject to their being found eligible in all respects. The candidates would be required to produce the original certificates in support of their claims relating to age, educational qualifications, community, physical disability etc. at the time of the Personality Test. They are, therefore, advised to keep their certificates ready and check before hand the requirement of certificates in accordance with the important instructions before appearance in the PT Boards as available on the website of the Commission.

3. In accordance with the Rules of examination all these candidates are required to fill up the Detailed Application Forms (DAF) which will be available on the Commission`s Website (http://www.upsc.gov.in) and submit the same ONLINE. The Detailed Application Form (DAF) will be available on the website of the Commission upto 18.07.2014 till 11.59 PM. Important instructions regarding filling up of the Detailed Application Form (DAF) and submitting the same ONLINE to the Commission are also available on the website. The candidates who have been declared successful have to first get themselves registered on the relevant page of the website
before filling up the ONLINE Detailed Application Form. The qualified candidates are further advised to refer to the Rules of the Indian Economic Service/ Indian Statistical Service Examination, 2014, published in the Gazette of India, dated 08.02.2014, which is also available on the Website of the Commission.

(Result) BPSC Assistant Prosecution Officer (Preliminary) Competitive Examination,Held on 01.03.2014

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Bihar Public Service Commission

Assistant Prosecution Officer (Preliminary) Competitive Examination

सहायक अभियोजन पदाधिकारी के पदों पर नियुक्ति हेतु वि॰सं॰ 41/2011 की प्रारम्भिक प्रतियोगिता परीक्षा दिनांक 01.03.2014, वि॰सं॰ 01/2013 की परीक्षा दिनांक 29.03.2014 एवं वि॰सं॰ 42/2011 की परीक्षा दिनांक 30.03.2014 को पटना अवस्थित परीक्षा केन्द्रों पर सम्पन्न र्हुइ थी।

Current Affairs for IAS Exams - 01 July 2014

Current Affairs for IAS Exams - 01 July 2014

Chief Justice of India R.M. Lodha made a frontal attack on the Centre

  • Chief Justice of India R.M. Lodha made a frontal attack on the Centre for unilaterally segregating senior advocate Gopal Subramanium’s name for elevation as a Supreme Court judge without his knowledge and concurrence.

  • Speaking at a farewell function for Justice B.S. Chauhan on his superannuation, the CJI said “the segregation of Mr. Gopal Subramanium’s name was done unilaterally by the Executive without my knowledge and concurrence which was not proper.”

  • Referring to the appointment controversy, the CJI said: “This is one subject which is non-negotiable. At no cost the independence of the judiciary will be allowed to be compromised. I will not hold my office if I feel that the independence of the institution of the judiciary has been compromised. I failed to understand that the appointment to a high constitutional position has been dealt with in a casual manner.

India among jihad targets of ISIS

  • Ibrahim Awwad al-Badri, commander of the insurgent group Islamic State of Iraq and al-Shams (ISIS), has vowed war against several countries, including India, in a Ramzan speech released online.

  • The reference to India, the first in an ISIS manifesto, raises new concerns for the safety of the almost hundred of its nations trapped in Iraqi cities controlled by the Islamist group, which is battling the governments of Iraq and Syria.

  • The Ramzan speech by Mr al-Badri — also known by the pseudonym Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi — calls on believers to take up arms during the month of penitence, and “terrify the enemies of Allah and seek death in the places where you expect to find it, for the dunya (worldly life) will come to an end”.

  • “Muslims’ rights”, Mr. al-Badri states in his speech, are forcibly seized in China, India, Palestine, Somalia, the Arabian Peninsula, the Caucasus, Sham (the Levant), Egypt, Iraq, Indonesia, Afghanistan, the Philippines, Ahvaz, Iran (by the rafidah (shia)), Pakistan, Tunisia, Libya, Algeria and Morocco, in the East and in the West.

Current Affairs for IAS Exams - 30 June 2014

Current Affairs for IAS Exams - 30 June 2014

M.K. Narayanan has resigned as Governor of West Bengal

  • Two days after the Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI) recorded his statement as a witness in the probe into kickbacks in the 2010 AgustaWestland chopper deal, M.K. Narayanan has resigned as Governor of West Bengal.

  • The first Governor to be questioned by an investigative agency, Mr Narayanan is the fourth Governor to resign following pressure from the BJP government on appointees of the UPA government. A formal acceptance of the resignation by the President is awaited.

  • The 80-year-old Narayanan, a former director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB) and National Security Adviser (NSA) in the first Manmohan Singh government, is considered close to the Congress and his tenure would have come to an end in January 2015.

  • As NSA, he had in 2005 participated in a meeting on the chopper deal. With Mr. Narayanan’s resignation, Goa Governor B.V. Wanchoo, who as chief of the Special Protection Group, had participated in the same meeting, will be under pressure to quit as the CBI will be examining him soon.

(Jobs) UPSC : Recruitment of Various Posts in Various Department | Advt. No. 11/2014

UPSC

Union Public Service Commission

Advt. No. 11/2014

Invites Online Recruitment Applications (ORA*) For Recruitment By Selection To The Following Posts

(Vacancy No. 14061101528)

One Agricultural Engineer in Farm Machinery Training and Testing Institute, Department of Agriculture & Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture. (UR-1). The post is permanent.

Pay Scale: Rs. 9300-34,800 (PB-2) + Rs. 4,600 (Grade Pay) (T.E. Rs. 27,800/-) + TA and HRA as admissible, General Central Service, Group 'B', Gazetted, Non-Ministerial.

Age*: 30 yrs.

Essential Qualification :

  • Education: Degree in Mechanical or Agricultural Engineering from a recognised University or Institute or equivalent.

  • Experience: Two years' experience in Testing or development of Agricultural Machinery; Or Two years' experience of teaching or as a trainer, including experience in operation or maintenance of tractors and agricultural implements or machinery; Or Two years' experience in production or fabrication or maintenance of mechanical workshop.

Duties:

  • Responsible for operation/ maintenance/ repair/evaluation of Agricultural/Earth moving equipment; Verification of agricultural machinery for CMVR certification; Supervision/coordination of testing / training activities and assist in International / specialized training courses; Planning / supervision/control of workshop.

(Vacancy No. 14061102528)

One Senior Marketing Officer (Group-III)(Oils and Fats) in Directorate of Marketing & Inspection, Department of Agriculture & Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture. (UR-1). The post is permanent.

Pay Scale: Rs. 15600-39,100 (PB-3) + Rs. 5,400 (Grade Pay) (T.E. Rs. 42,000/-) + TA and HRA as admissible, General Central Service, Group 'A', Gazetted, Non-Ministerial.

Age*: 35 yrs.

Essential Qualification :

  • Education: Master's Degree in Chemistry/Agriculture Chemistry/ Dairy Chemistry/ Dairying from a recognized University or equivalent; OR Bachelor's Degree in Oil Technology / Food Technology/ Chemical Technology / Dairy Technology from a recognized University or equivalent.

  • 3 years' experience in the field of analytical work of organic material, or in the field of Marketing of Milk and Milk Products, Oils and Fats including Essential Oils and Allied commodities. OR Diploma in Marketing Management awarded by the Indian Institute of Food Technology or any other registered University/ Institute or equivalent with one year's experience in the field of analysis of organic material or in the field of Marketing of Milk and Milk Products, Oils and Fats including Essential Oils and Allied commodities.

Duties:

  • To organize, guide and supervise the work relating to grading and quality control in respect of agricultural commodities including formulation of grades and grade standards. To help the senior officers in administration of various quality control schemes. To inspect and draw check samples of the products covered by quality control scheme.

(Vacancy No. 14061103228)

Two Deputy Director of Flying Training in Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Civil Aviation. (UR-2). The posts are permanent.

Pay Scale: Rs. 15600-39,100 ( PB-3) + Rs. 7,600 (Grade Pay) (T.E. Rs. 46,400/-) + TA and HRA as admissible General Central Service, Group 'A', Gazetted, Non-Ministerial.

Age*: 50 yrs.

Essential Qualification :

A. Education:

  • 10+2 with Physics and Mathematics as subjects from a recognised Board or university;

  • Current Commercial Pilot's License holder.

B. Experience :

  • Experience as Pilot-in-Command of 1500 hours;

  • Current Flight Instructor rating with experience in training of abinitio pilots of 500 hours.

Desirable:

  • Degree in Science with Physics and Mathematics as subjects;

  • Instructional experience of twin or multi-engined aeroplanes. Duties: To assist the Director of Flying Training in conducting the practical tests for issue/renewal of AFIR and FIR. To conduct the Qualification Checks of PPL/CPL. To carry out inspection of flying clubs and suggest means to improve the training standards. Scrutiny of flying and gliding progress reports received from the clubs. Issue of circulars, notifications etc. to enforce adequate training standards in the flying clubs. To assist in investigation of cases involving accidents/incidents or violation of rules concerning flying clubs. 

(Vacancy No. 14061104128)

One Associate Pharmaceutical Chemist in Directorate General of Health Services, Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.(UR-1). The post is suitable for Physically
Challenged Persons with disability viz. Hearing Impairment with Deaf (D) or Partially Deaf (PD) or Orthopedically Handicapped/Locomotor Disability/Cerebral Palsy with One Leg Affected (Right or Left) (OL) .The post is permanent.

Pay Scale: Rs. 9,300-34,800/- ( PB-2) + Rs. 4,800/- (Grade Pay) (T.E. Rs. 28,200/-)+ TA and HRA as admissible, General Central Service, Group 'B', Gazetted, NonMinisterial.

Selected Articles from Various News Paper: Civil Services Mentor Magazine June 2014

Selected Articles from Various Newspapers & Journals

(June 2014)

Nalanda is not about nostalgia

It is only appropriate that a government that is actively seeking overseas collaboration in the arena of higher education should be steadfast in its support for an inclusive and ambitious model of global partnership. The Union Cabinet’s approval of the amendments proposed by a Standing Committee on External Affairs should settle once and for all the question of the status of Nalanda University — at Rajgir in Bihar — as an international institution. As per the proposed amendments, the preamble to the 2010 Act would characterise Nalanda unambiguously as “a non-state, non-profit, self-governing international institution.” Such a stipulation should put an end to attempts to depict the modern avatar of the historic centre of learning as a central university, thus saving the government the embarrassment of having to clarify its position to other participant-countries in this unique project. Indeed, the Standing Committee has proposed the insertion of a clear reference in the relevant law to the 2013 intergovernmental memorandum of understanding that has entered into force. Significantly, the latter provides for the involvement of any country that subscribes to the objectives of Nalanda. Russia, the United States, Australia and New Zealand have already expressed their commitment at various levels.

The transnational composition of the modern Nalanda was only to be expected. For the states of the second East Asia Summit (EAS) in 2007 saw the revival of this ancient seat of learning as being central to realising the concept of an Asian community and strengthening regional educational cooperation. A capacity to attract students and faculty from across geographical boundaries was one of the hallmarks of this great and ancient seat of learning. It would have therefore seemed rather odd for the architects of Nalanda’s new version appearing not keen to foster a cross-cultural and cosmopolitan spirit of intellectual and cultural exchange. In the context of the relatively backward State of Bihar, the creation of state-of-the-art infrastructure and improved overall connectivity would prove an immense boon. The University’s Chancellor, the Nobel laureate Amartya Sen, has repeatedly emphasised his commitment to promoting the highest academic standards, as well as ensuring equity in the recruitment and admissions processes. These are worthy objectives that India’s public institutions generally, and those in the field of education in particular, must foster at every level. If indeed the 21st century is critical to the future of Asia, then Nalanda is potentially a great platform to create that future. It could prove no less a model for the promotion of international understanding.

World Unprepared for Risks from a Changing Climate: Civil Services Mentor Magazine - June 2014

World Unprepared for Risks from a Changing Climate

Climate Change

Since the arrival of the industrial revolution, in Europe, the visible changes on the face of the earth have increasingly manifested itself, in various forms. However, one of the most horrendous changes, to affect the humankind, is the Climate change.

Climate change, in the context of our ecology, refers to the gradual heating up of the planet, leading to a rise in the global mean temperature. This would cause the melting of the polar ice caps, which is supposed to lead to flood, of greater intensity, and several related disastrous effects on our planet.

Thus, since the last decade of the 20th century, there has been a growing concern towards the process of climate change. Starting from the Rio Summit of 1992, till the contemporary conferences of the various international bodies, the global community has now realized the importance of checking the unsustainable model of growth.

The turning point in the efforts to check the climate change was the creation of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). It is a scientific, intergovernmental body under the United Nations Organization (UNO), and was set up in 1988, at the request of the member governments, by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Presently, it is being chaired by Rajendra K. Pachauri.

The major events in the trajectory of the global efforts against climate change and global warming have been- the Rio Summit, or the Earth Summit of 1992 and the Kyoto Protocol of 1997.

Current Affairs for IAS Exams - 29 June 2014

Current Affairs for IAS Exams - 29 June 2014

Government began planning for the possible evacuation Indians from Iraq

  • Days after the government began planning for the possible evacuation of 10,000 or more Indians who may be in Iraq, Minister of External Affairs Sushma Swaraj is seeking help from other Gulf countries as well.

  • Ms. Swaraj along with Minister of State for Overseas Indian Affairs Gen. V.K. Singh chaired a meeting of Indian envoys to six Gulf countries: Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia to discuss assistance to Indians in Iraq.

  • Later Ms. Swaraj met Ambassadors of the Gulf states in India, where she requested them to suggest ways to evacuate Indians, especially if the conflict in Iraq worsens.

  • Meanwhile, the government has stepped up efforts to ensure that all Indians working in Iraq are registered, in case they need to be evacuated at short notice. Camp offices have been set up in Najaf, Karbala and Basra, cities that haven’t seen the spread of violence.

Israel is “ready” to expand its operations in Gaza

  • Israel is “ready” to expand its operations in Gaza, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned after the air force struck 12 targets overnight following a surge in militant rocket fire.
  • Speaking to ministers at the weekly cabinet meeting, the Israeli Premier said the almost-nightly military strikes on Gaza could be expanded should the need arise.
  • Israeli warplanes struck Gaza 12 times overnight, with Palestinian officials saying two people had been lightly injured.

Current Affairs for IAS Exams - 28 June 2014

Current Affairs for IAS Exams - 28 June 2014

Gujarat High Court issued notices to Adani Power

  • The Gujarat High Court issued notices to Adani Power Ltd. and Adani Port and Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Ltd. in response to a PIL petition alleging that the firms had violated environmental norms in the State’s Kutch district.

  • A Division Bench of Chief Justice Bhaskar Bhattacharya and Justice J.B. Pardiwala also issued notices to the Ministry of Environment and Forests, the Gujarat Pollution Control Board and the Kutch Collectorate.

  • The Kheti Vikas Seva Trust, a Kutch-based organisation, filed the petition calling for adherence to the MoEF’s conditions.

  • The wastewater from the power plant has to be directed to the Gulf of Kutch at a certain temperature. However, the company has created a water outfall channel from the power plant in the creek area. As a result, access to the creek area has been restricted for the local fisherfolk.

Current Affairs for IAS Exams - 27 June 2014

Current Affairs for IAS Exams - 27 June 2014

GAIL pipeline explosion in A.P.

  • At least 15 people were charred to death and 18 suffered burns in a massive explosion in a GAIL-operated gas pipeline passing through Nagaram village in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. The victims include three women and three children. Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu cut short his visit to Delhi and reached the accident site accompanied by Union Petroleum Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.

  • The blast occurred in the pipeline maintained by Gas Authority of India Limited carrying gas to the Lanco power station at Kondapalli near Vijayawada. Huge flames leapt from the damaged pipeline gutting scores of houses and shops.

  • The damage could have been much higher had the flames spread to nearby Tatipaka ONGC Refinery Station. The GAIL pipeline runs in front of the gas collection centre and the Tatipaka mini refinery of the ONGC.

Ukraine signs landmark deal with EU

  • Ukraine’s new Western-backed president signed a landmark EU pact whose rejection by his pro-Moscow predecessor plunged the ex-Soviet country into turmoil and sent East-West relations to their lowest level since the Cold War.

  • Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko hailed the deal, which pulls Kiev out of Kremlin’s orbit, as a turning point for the strategic country sandwiched between Europe and Russia.

  • But the agreement bursts Russian President Vladimir Putin’s dream of enlisting Kiev in a Kremlin-led alliance that could rival the European Union and NATO and Moscow warned it would have “serious consequences.”
    The Association Agreement is also deeply unpopular in Ukraine’s heavily Russified eastern rustbelt, where pro-Russian insurgents are battling Kiev government troops.

  • The European Union also sealed similar partnership agreements with Georgia and Moldova — two former Soviet nations with similarly complicated relations with Russia.

  • Mr. Poroshenko said the deal offered Ukraine “an absolutely new perspective for my country,” hailing a “historic day, the most important day since independence.”

North Korea tests new missile

  • North Korea announced the successful test of a new high-precision, tactical guided missile, as its Army threatened a “devastating” retaliation against South Korea for carrying out live fire drills near their maritime border.
  • The launch of the “cutting-edge” missile was watched by North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un, according to the North’s official KCNA news agency, which hailed the test as a “breakthrough” in national defence capability.

Bitcoins: Civil Services Mentor Magazine - June 2014

Bitcoins

Bitcoin is one of a kind electronic payment system that has been newly developed. It is actually a “decentralized peer-to-peer currency”. It’s unique since there is no central body that controls the network . Technically Bitcoin is operated by people who are using it .It is not the first electronic payment system that has come up in recent times, however it is unique in it’s own way since unlike other electronic payment systems (say for instance PayPal) it has its own currency not real, but virtual.Owing to it’s digital nature ,through bitcoin a person can make instant payments to any individual residing in any part of the world. Bitcoin is experimental,that means it has not been established as a successful venture as yet.

Problems with Bitcoins

Bitcoins have few significant problems at the moment, the first and the foremost being bitcoin’s volatile valuation. In 2013 alone the price of a single bitcoin spiked to over a $1000, with investors buying up banking on it’s profitable nature.The aforementioned volatility is partly due to the many security and legislation problems facing the currency. Bitcoin exchanges have been attacked by hackers ,the most recent one being attack against the Mt Gox exchange, while government does not have a fixed opinion on the legality of the currency has.These factors have adversely affected the currency’s value, along with putting a big question mark on the reliability on this currency.

The silver lining

Bitcoin does not have any central authority, hence the pro-bitcoin people believe that there wouldn’t be any external regulations to weigh it down. But the point to ponder is that, the technology behind this could still be of use to the financial sector.The lack of central authority has a number of benefits, including the fact that there is no charge when making payments in bitcoin, be it locale or international. This could not only benefit smaller shops that have to pay a fee to card companies when processing transactions, but could also help individuals whose local financial systems are in trouble or having some technical snag.There are likely benefits to security as well.

India-Pakistan-Iran Pipeline: Challenges and Prospects: Civil Services Mentor Magazine - June 2014

India-Pakistan-Iran Pipeline: Challenges and Prospects

Iran and its Potential

With the stock of second largest fossil fuel reserves in the World, Iran has enormous potential to serve the needs of the rapidly developing countries, like- India, Pakistan and China. While the markets of China, India and Pakistan could be well served through pipelines; those of the distant countries can be served only through Liquified Natural Gas (LNG).

Nearly three-quarters of the world’s natural gas reserves are located in the Middle-East and Eurasia region. Russia, Iran and Qatar, together account for about 58% of the world’s natural gas reserves.

Iran has its natural gas reserves in the fields of North and South Pars, Tabnak and Kangan-Nar. According to the Oil and Gas Journal, Iran has an estimated 974 Trillion cubic feet in proven natural gas reserves, which amounts to about 15.8% of the world’s total deposits. The highest yielding fields of Iran are the offshore South Pars fields.

Evolution of the Agreement

Natural Gas was discovered in South Pars fields of Iran, back in 1990. Since then, Iran has been proposing for a pipeline project that can transport the Iranian gas to Pakistan and India.

Before delving into some facts and figures about the issue, it is instructive to review the historical developments preceding the current setting of India-Pakistan-Iran market integration project.

The export of natural gas from the Gulf region to Pakistan was first considered in the early 1990s. Two proposals were initially put forth-

1. Qatar-Pakistan pipeline following an offshore route, except for a small portion to be constructed over land passing through the UAE. However, this project could not progress as the time limit set by Qatar for the allocation of the gas passed, and the project got delayed; and,
2. A Pipeline between Iran and Pakistan. This project was further stretched to make it India-Pakistan-Iran Pipeline.

Current Affairs for IAS Exams - 26 June 2014

Current Affairs for IAS Exams - 26 June 2014

Centre to collaborate with States to fight inflation

  • To keep a check on inflation in the wake of a weak monsoon, Prime Minister Narendra Modi pushed for “proactive” coordination between the Centre and States in implementing contingency plans and asked the States to set up fast-track courts to sternly deal with hoarders.

  • At a high-level inter-ministerial meeting convened by him to discuss food security and monsoon situation, the Prime Minister reviewed the availability of water and seeds and directed that fodder grids be formed for a long-term solution to the problem of drying grazing lands for livestock in rain-fed areas.

  • The meeting, attended among others by Union Ministers Rajnath Singh, Arun Jaitley, Ram Vilas Paswan, Radha Mohan Singh and Uma Bharti, decided to extend by three months the period till when States should implement the National Food Security Act, which provides for concessional foodgrains to 75 per cent identified beneficiaries. Earlier, State governments had to implement the Act by July 4, 2014, within 365 days of it coming into force (on July 5, 2013). Only five States are ready for implementation of the Act.

  • It gave a go-ahead for setting a minimum export price of $450 per tonne for potato to discourage exports and check the rising price of the tuber. Onion supplies have improved over the last week easing prices, but the price of potato has gone up by about 30 per cent compared to last year. India exports between one to two lakh tonne potatoes annually.

  • Monsoon has so far been delayed in parts of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat, hitting kharif sowing in paddy and cotton.It was informed at the meeting that monsoon will revive by July 7 and the El-Nino effect in August-September will be lower than initially expected.

  • Steps to tackle inflation were yielding results and the Agriculture Ministry was ready with a contingency plan for 500 districts in case the monsoon failed to revive, the Prime Minister was informed.

  • The government announced only a modest hike in the minimum support price of paddy and pulses to contain inflation.

Deadline extended for National Food Security

  • The Centre extended by three months the deadline by which States should roll out the National Food Security Act that provides for distribution of concessional foodgrains to 75 per cent of identified beneficiaries.

  • Under the Act, States were given time till July 4 to implement the Act but so far only five states have begun to roll out the scheme while six others are “in the process.”

  • To discuss the Act’s rollout and the problems faced by the States, the Centre has called a meeting of Food Ministers on July 5. The meeting will also discuss steps that States should take to check hoarding and tackle inflation.

  • Announcing the decisions taken at a high-level meeting convened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Food and Consumer Affairs Minister Ram Vilas Paswan said it was mandatory for the government to announce an extension of the scheme under the Act. “The allocation of foodgrains to all States will continue on the basis of the Targeted Public Distribution System till they switch to the new dispensation under the Act.

(Download) UPSC Civil Service Preliminary Examination Official Answer Keys (Paper - 1 & 2) - 2013

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Union Public Service Commission

Download UPSC Official Answer Keys (GS Paper 1 and CSAT Paper 2)

Dear UPSC Aspirants,
UPSC has recently released the official answer key for the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2013. The Answer key includes answers for all the Question sets, for both Paper I and II. Any aspirant may see the answer key to check the answers. Though the answers were already open by various coaching centers, the aspirants can view the official answer script.

Exam Name: IAS

Year: 2013

Papers: GS Paper 1 & CSAT Paper 2

(Report) Poverty Estimates for 2011-12

Report Poverty Estimates for 2011-12

The Planning Commission has periodically estimated poverty lines and poverty ratios for each of the years for which Large Sample Surveys on Household Consumer Expenditure have been conducted by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO) of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. These surveys are normally conducted on quinquennial basis. The last quinquennial survey in this series was conducted in 2009-10 (NSS 66th round). However, since 2009-10 was not a normal year because of a severe drought, the NSSO repeated the large scale survey in 2011-12 (NSS 68th round). The summary results of this survey were released on 20th June 2013.

(Final Result) UPSC: CDS (II) Examination 2013

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Union Public Service Commission

Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2013

The following are the lists, in order of merit of 299 (186+99+14) candidates who have qualified on the basis of the results of the Combined Defence Services Examination (II), 2013conducted by the Union Public Service Commission in September, 2013 and SSB interviews held by the Services Selection Board of the Ministry of Defence for admission to the 137th Course of Indian Military Academy, Dehradun; Indian Naval Academy,Ezhimala, Kerala and Air Force Academy, Hyderabad (Pre-Flying) Training Course i.e. 196th F (P) Course.

The number of vacancies, as intimated by the Government is 250 for Indian Military Academy [including 32 vacancies reserved for NCC ‘C’ certificates (Army Wing) holders], 40 for Naval Academy, Ezhimala, Kerala Executive(General Service) (including 06 vacancies reserved for NCC ‘C’ Certificate (Naval Wing) holders] and 32 for Air Force Academy, Hyderabad.

The Commission had recommended 5608, 2874 and 678 as qualified in the written test for admission to the Indian Military Academy/Indian Naval Academy and Air Force Academy respectively. The number of candidates finally qualified are those after SSB testing conducted by Army Head Quarters.

The results of Medical examination have not been taken into account in preparing these lists.

Verification of date of birth and educational qualifications of these candidates is still under process by the Army Headquarters. The candidature of all these candidates is, therefore, Provisional on this score. Candidates arerequested to forward their certificates, in original, in support of Date of Birth/Educational qualification etc. claimed by them, along with Photostate attested copies thereof to Army Headquarters /Naval Headquarters/Air Headquarters, as per their first choice.

For any further information, the candidates may contact Facilitation Counter near Gate ‘C’ of the Commission’s Office, either in person or on telephone Nos.011-23385271/011-23381125/011-23098543 between 10:00 hours and 17:00 hours on any working day

Indian Military Academy

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