Easing UPSC

We will be posting revision targets and also provide you link, revise from your sources. But you do not have proper source then you can refer link. We will start with polity and Economy and complete revison in one week. Then Envrionment and S&T we will cover.

These topics are also very important

Differentiated Banks in India 1. Small Finance Banks 2. India post payment banks 3. Local area Banks 4. Payment banks 5. Regional Rural Bank

Ways and means advances

They can ask what is benchmark interest rate, what are the instruments it can be linked? 1. Repo rate, 2. T bill - 90 days, 180 days 3. Or any other interest rate decided by FBIL These kinds of things can be asked

These two topics are very important question may come Monetary Policy Transmission External Benchmark of interest rate

RBI Reports Annual Report Report on Trend and Progress of Banking in India Half Yearly (6 months) Financial Stability Report Monetary Policy Report Report on Foreign Exchange Reserves Quaterly (3 Months) Variation to Foreign Exchange Reserves in India: Sources, Arbitrage and Costs Macroeconomic and Monetary Developments Quarterly Statistics on Deposits and Credit of Scheduled Commercial Banks Quarterly Industrial Outlook Survey Consumer Confidence Survey Inflation Expectations Survey of Households Bank Lending Survey Services and Infrastructure Outlook Surve Bi- Monthly Policy Statement Survey of Professional Forecasters Inflation Expectations Survey of Households Consumer Confidence Survey

Important topics geography and Agriculture Palm oil, Rubber Plantation Indus River, Chenab, Jhelum, Ravi, Staluj, Vyas Mangrove Areas Ramsar Sites - Newly added

Please revise these topics before exam properly. We will post topics reguarly.

Important Polity Topics for Prelims Right to equality Right to freedom Concept of welfare Right to Property Constitutional or Political Status of India Constitutionalism or Constitutional Government Titles under constitution Features of Federalism Definition of State - Political sense and constitutional Meaning of Fundamental Rights Domicile & Citizenship Liberty - Definition and it’s relation with other concepts Separation of power Centralisation and distribution of power Parliamentary Democracy

What are Ways and Means Advances : The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) gives temporary loan facilities to the central and state governments. This loan facility is called Ways and Means Advances (WMA). When was Ways and Means Advances introduced? The Ways and Means Advances scheme was introduced in 1997. Purpose of the WMA scheme The Ways and Means Advances scheme was introduced to meet mismatches in the receipts and payments of the government. How does it work? The government can avail of immediate cash from the RBI, if required. But it has to return the amount within 90 days. Interest is charged at the existing repo rate. If the WMA exceeds 90 days, it would be treated as an overdraft (interest rate on overdrafts is 2 percentage points more than the repo rate). What is WMA limit? The limits for Ways and Means Advances are decided by the government and RBI mutually and revised periodically. For the second half of the 2019-20 financial year, RBI set Rs 35,000 crore as limit for Ways and Means Advances. Types of WMA There are two types of Ways and Means Advances — normal and special. Special WMA or Special Drawing Facility is provided against the collateral of the government securities held by the state. After the state has exhausted the limit of SDF, it gets normal WMA. The interest rate for SDF is one percentage point less than the repo rate. The number of loans under normal WMA is based on a three-year average of actual revenue and capital expenditure of the state.

The definition of ‘critical wildlife habitat’ is incorporated only in the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006. Union Ministry of Tribal Affairs is the nodal ministry and officially decides and declares Habitat Rights for Primitive and Vulnerable Tribal Groups in any part of India. For the first time habitat rights have been given to Baigas under the Forest Rights Act of 2006. Baiga tribals become India's first community to get habitat rights. Critical wildlife habitats (CWH) are defined under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, as the “areas of national parks and sanctuaries where it has been specifically and clearly established, case by case, on the basis of scientific and objective criteria, that such areas are required to be kept as inviolate for the purposes of wildlife conservation.”

Important topics for prelims Guru Ghasidas National Park and Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary as a Tiger Reserve - 53rd Ramgarh Tiger reserve - 52nd National Board for wildlife Mstripes Project Tiger Critical Tiger Habitat Critical Wildlife Habitats - focus on Act under its constituted, Declared by Central Govt

Salient Features Of Wildlife Protection Act 1972 Prohibition of Hunting: The Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 prohibits the hunting of any wild animals listed under the schedules I, II, III, and IV of the act. Exceptions to the prohibition of hunting are provided under sections 11 and 12 of the act. As per section 11, the Chief Wildlife Warden can permit any person to hunt an animal specified in schedules I, II, III, and IV of the act if he/she is satisfied that the particular animal is dangerous to human life or disabled or diseased beyond recovery. It also states that killing or wounding any wild animal in defense of oneself should not be considered as an offense. Such animals are considered government property. As per section 12, the Chief Wildlife Warden can grant a permit to hunt animals for the purpose of education, scientific research, and scientific management. Prohibition of Cutting/Uprooting Specified Plants: The act prohibits any person from willfully picking, uprooting, damaging, destroying, collecting, selling, or transferring any plant species (alive or dead) from either forest area or any such area specified by the Central Government. Exception: The Chief Wildlife Warden, with prior permission from the concerned State government, can permit cutting or uprooting the specified plants for the purpose of education, scientific research, and scientific management. The act prohibits the cultivation of certain plants without acquiring a license from the Chief Wildlife Warden. It also prohibits any person from purchasing or receiving the specified plants from anybody other than the licensed dealers.Under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, various governing bodies such as National Board for Wildlife, and State Board for Wildlife are constituted. Similarly protected areas such as national parks, and sanctuaries are declared along with their functions and rights. Animals are listed under 6 schedules based on their risk of survival and provisions related to the conservation and protection of such animals are mentioned in this act.

Constitutional Provisions India is the first country in the world to have incorporated the provisions related to the protection and conservation of wildlife and the environment in the Constitution. Following the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, commonly called Stockholm Conference in 1972, the Indian Government passed the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act in 1976 through which articles pertaining to environmental protection were included in the Indian Constitution. The articles are as follows: Article 48A By the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, this article was added under the Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV). This article deals with the Protection and improvement of the environment and safeguarding of forests and wildlife. It states that “The State shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country”. Article 51A (g) By the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, this article was added as the fundamental duty of Indian citizens.It states that “ It shall be the duty of every citizen of India to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife, and to have compassion for living creatures.

Constitutional Provisions India is the first country in the world to have incorporated the provisions related to the protection and conservation of wildlife and the environment in the Constitution. Following the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, commonly called Stockholm Conference in 1972, the Indian Government passed the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act in 1976 through which articles pertaining to environmental protection were included in the Indian Constitution. The articles are as follows: Article 48A By the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, this article was added under the Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV). This article deals with the Protection and improvement of the environment and safeguarding of forests and wildlife. It states that “The State shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country”. Article 51A (g) By the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, this article was added as the fundamental duty of Indian citizens.It states that “ It shall be the duty of every citizen of India to protect and improve the natural environment including forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife, and to have compassion for living creatures.

Wildlife Protection Act was passed by the Parliament of India on 12 August 1972 and was enacted on 9 September 1972. The Act was introduced with an aim to provide safeguard and protection to animals, birds, and plants present in the country. Earlier, it was not applicable to the state of Jammu and Kashmir, but after the enactment of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act of 2019, the exception was removed. In total, there are 66 sections in this act and it consists of 6 schedules that provide a varying degree of protection for the species placed under each of them.India is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna species. Their habitats have been destroyed by various human activities such as construction, agricultural settlement, etc. Apart from that, poaching is a major threat to these species. Through this Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, the Government of India aimed to protect the wildlife and their habitats from all such threats.

Protected Areas Under Wildlife Protection Act 1972 The protected areas mentioned in the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 are discussed below: 1. Sanctuaries The State Government can declare any area other than an area comprising any reserve forest or the territorial waters as a sanctuary. For an area to be considered as a sanctuary, it should have adequate ecological, faunal, floral, geomorphological, natural, or zoological significance. The Chief Wildlife Warden is the authority responsible for controlling, managing, and maintaining the sanctuaries. He is endowed with the power to take any steps necessary for the protection of sanctuaries and the wildlife therein. The Chief Wildlife Warden can grant permission to any person to enter or reside in the sanctuary for purposes such as photographing, scientific research, tourism, investigation, or study of wildlife. However, fees are prescribed to carry out such activities. No person other than the public servant on duty, the person permitted by the CWLW, or the person passing through the sanctuary along the public highway can enter or reside in the sanctuary. The use of chemicals, explosives, or any other substances which may cause injury to the wildlife in the sanctuary, is strictly prohibited inside the sanctuary. Activities such as setting fire or leaving any fire burning in a sanctuary are prohibited. Weapons can be taken only with prior permission from the warden. 2. National Parks The State Government can declare any area that is of high ecological, faunal, floral, geomorphological, natural, or zoological significance can be declared as a national park. Even the areas within the sanctuary can be declared national parks. Destruction, exploitation, or removal of any wildlife (including the forest produce) from the national parks are prohibited under the Act. Similarly, no person can destroy, damage, or divert the habitat of the species in the national park. Removal of wildlife from the national parks and change inflow of water into and outside the national parks can be made only in accordance with the permission of the Chief Wildlife Warden and the warden grants such permissions only after receiving acceptance from the concerned State Government. Grazing of any live stocks is prohibited in the national park. 3. Conservation Reserve The State Government can declare any area owned by the government adjacent to national parks, sanctuaries, and those areas which serve as a link between one or more protected areas, as conservation reserves, after consultation with the local communities. It aims to protect the landscapes, seascapes, flora, fauna, and their habitats in the above-mentioned areas. A management committee is constituted by the State Government to assist and advise the Chief Wildlife Warden to conserve, manage and maintain the conservation reserve.

enforcement of the provisions of this Act. To collect and collate intelligence related to organized wildlife crime activities and to disseminate the same to State and other enforcement agencies for immediate action. To advise the Government of India on issues relating to wildlife crimes having national and international ramifications, and suggest changes required in relevant policy and laws from time to time.

Bodies Established Under Wildlife Protection Act 1972 Following are the bodies constitutionalized under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1. National Board for Wildlife According to the act, the Central Government should constitute the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL). The Prime Minister of India is the Chairperson of the board and the Minister in charge of forests and wildlife is the Vice-Chairperson of the board. Along with them, the NBWL consists of several other members. The board has the right to constitute a standing committee to carry out certain functions directed to them by the board. Some of the major functions of the National Board for Wildlife are, To promote the conservation and development of wildlife and forests by taking appropriate measures. To frame policies and make advice to the Central Government and the State Governments on the ways and means of promoting wildlife conservation and effectively controlling poaching and illegal trade of wildlife and its products. To make recommendations on the setting up of and management of national parks, sanctuaries, and other protected areas and on matters relating to the restriction of activities in those areas. To prepare and publish reports on wildlife in the country at least once in two years. 2. State Board for Wildlife According to the Wildlife Protection Act, the State Government should constitute the State Board for Wildlife (SBWL). The Chief Minister of the State (Chief Minister or Administrator in case of Union Territory) is the Chairperson of the board and the Minister in charge of forests and wildlife is the Vice-Chairperson of the board. The duty of the State Board for Wildlife is to advise the respective State Governments in matters such as, Selection and management of protected areas Formulation of policies for wildlife protection and conservation. Amendment of any schedule under the act. 3. Central Zoo AuthorityAccording to the act, the Central Government should constitute Central Zoo Authority and it should consist of a Chairperson, Member-Secretary, and other such members not exceeding ten. The act confers the right to the authority to regulate its own procedure.Some of the functions performed by the Central Zoo Authority are as follows: To recognize or derecognize zoos. To specify the minimum standards for housing, upkeep and veterinary care of the animals kept in a zoo. To coordinate the acquisition, exchange, and loaning of animals for breeding purposes. To identify endangered species of wild animals for purposes of captive breeding and assigning responsibility in this regard to a zoo. To coordinate research in captive breeding and educational programmes for the purposes of zoos. To ensure maintenance of stud-books of endangered species of wild animals bred in captivity. 4. National Tiger Conservation Authority According to the Wildlife Protection Act, the Central Government should constitute the National Tiger Conservation Authority and appoint the Minister of Environment and Forests as its Chairperson.The functions of the National Tiger Conservation Authority are as follows: To approve the Tiger Conservation Plan prepared by the State Government under a section provided by the act. To evaluate and assess various aspects of sustainable ecology and to cancel any ecologically unsustainable land use such as mining, industry, and other projects within the tiger reserves. To lay down guidelines for project tiger from time to time for tiger conservation in the buffer and core area of tiger reserves and ensure their due compliance. To provide measures for addressing the conflicts between men and wild animals. 5. Tiger And Other Endangered Species Crime Control Bureau Under this act, the Central Government can constitute a Tiger and other Endangered Species Crime Control Bureau by publishing orders in the official gazette. Following are the powers and functions of the Tiger and other Endangered Species Crime Control Bureau: To coordinate the functions of various officers, State Governments, and other authorities in connection with the