Prelims 2017

in 100
Everything for Prelims
Days

Day 20

NOTE: To get All India Ranking (AIR)

of Free Test, Login at:

www.iasscore.in
 Geography www.iasscore.in

INDIAN AGRICULTURE
Agriculture plays a vital role in India's economy. Over 58 per cent of the rural households depend on
agriculture as their principal means of livelihood. Agriculture, along with fisheries and forestry, is one of the
largest contributors to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
As per estimates by the Central Statistics Office (CSO), the share of agriculture and allied sectors (including
agriculture, livestock, forestry and fishery) was 15.35 per cent of the Gross Value Added (GVA) during 2015-
16 at 2011-12 prices.
The Department of Agriculture and Cooperation under the Ministry of Agriculture is responsible for the
development of the agriculture sector in India. It manages several other bodies, such as the National Dairy

E
Development Board (NDDB), to develop other allied agricultural sectors.

OR
Facts:
India is the largest producer, consumer and exporter of spices and spice products.
India's fruit production has grown faster than vegetables, making it the second largest fruit producer in
the world.
SC
India's horticulture output, comprising fruits, vegetables and spices, is estimated to be 283.4 million
tonnes (MT) in 2015-16 after the third advanced estimate.
Agricultural export constitutes 10 per cent of the country's exports and is the fourth-largest exported
principal commodity.
India is an agricultural economy where approximately 49% of the people depend on agriculture.
GS

Net sown area still accounts for about 47% of the total cultivable area of India.
Accounts for about 35% of our national income.
Share in GDP - around 14 %.
Provides food for the people and fodder for the animals.
Main source of raw materials to the agro-based industries viz. sugar, textile, edible oil, etc.
Predominance of food crop ? 2/3rd of total cropped area.
1st rank in Milk (17% of world production), Mango, banana, coconut, cashew, papaya, peas, cassava and
pomegranate.
Largest producer and exporter of spices, Millets, Pulses, Dry Bean, Ginger.
Overall, second largest producer of vegetable, fruits and fishes.
Have three main cropping seasons viz. Kharif, Rabi & Zaid.
Notes

1
 www.iasscore.in

E
OR
BRANCHES OF AGRICULTURE:
Vermiculture: Agriculture of Earth worm
SC

Tissue culture: Production of a new plant from plant cells

Apiculture: Study of honey bee
Horticulture: Study of fruits and vegetables
Pomology: Study of fruits
GS

Sericulture: Rearing of silk worm

Moriculture: Production of mulberry
Vity culture: Production of grapes
AGRICULTURAL TERMINOLOGIES
Agriculture Science of cultivating soil, raising crops and rearing livestock including fishing
and forests
Agricultural Land Net Cropped area + Fallow Land -- Cultivated Area
Net Cropped Area Total area sown in country
Also known as net sown area
Area sown more than once in a year counted only once
Fallow Land Land left out of cultivation for a definite period of time to restore its fertility
Gross Sown Area Also known as Gross Cropped Area
Notes

2
 www.iasscore.in

Sum total of -- Area sown more than once in agricultural year + Net sown
area
Cropping intensity No. of crops raised on field during an agricultural year
(Total Crop Area / Net sown area) * 100 -- ~132 % for India
Agricultural Efficiency Ratio of Output to input
Input includes manpower, seeds, fertilizers, pesticides etc.
Yield / Area Intensive agriculture
Heavy manpower & inputs deployed -- India, Japan
Yield / Person Extensive agriculture
Very large land holdings & very less manpower -- USA, Russia, Canada

E
Cropping Pattern Refers to proportion of area under different crops at a given point of time
Broadly, cropping pattern in India shows greater production of food grains

Food Crops

than non-food grains
Food Grains
Cereals & Millets + Pulses
OR
Fruits & Vegetables
SC
Non Food Crops Oil seeds
Fiber crops
Forage crops
Commercial Agriculture Farmer grows the crop with the aim of selling it in the market i.e. for monetary
GS

purpose
Also known as cash crops
Ex: Cotton, Sugarcane, Tobacco, Tea etc.
Plantation Agriculture A large-scale farming of one crop resembling the factory production
Processing and marketing the final products
Ex: Coffee, Rubber, Coconut, Spices etc.
Fiber Crops Cash crops which yield fibers
Used for making textiles or packaging materials
Examples include Jute & Cotton
Fodder Crops Harvested when green
Used as cattle fodder eg. Barseem
Some fodder crops can also be matured as food grains eg. Jowar
Notes

3
 www.iasscore.in

Mixed Cropping Also known as Multiple cropping

When two or more than two crops are grown simultaneously on the same
field
Increases crop yield & Fertility of soil
Mixed Farming Cultivation of crops + Rearing of animals
Fodder crops -- An important component of mixed farming along with other
crops
Dry land Farming Adopted in scanty rainfall areas viz. < 75 cm /year
Draught resistance crops are grown as they require less irrigation
Farming of arid & semi-arid regions
Also known as Rain fed Farming
Rainwater is only source of moisture for crops

E
Minimal use of chemicals, Pesticides, fertilizers etc.
OR
Contributes 40% of the food production
Provide support to nearly 45% of the population
Wet Land farming Practiced in high rainfall and irrigated areas
Terrace Farming Farming on steps cut on mountainous region
SC

Mainly for prevention of soil erosion

Also provides easy irrigation
Extensive Agriculture Farmers tries to get the greater output by bringing more and more new land
areas under cultivation
GS

Agriculture at large farm with extensive use of machinery

Yield / Area is low but Yield / Labour is high
Crops are grown solely for the purpose of commercial activities
Intensive Agriculture Land holding is small which is intensively used by means of labour provided
by family members
Hence, Yield / Area is high but Yield / Labour is low
Subsistence Agriculture Farming in which the main production is consumed by the farmer's household
For Livelihood, Small land area & Great no. of labours
Shifting Agriculture Farmers clear the forestland and use it for growing crops.
The crops are grown for 2 to 3 years.
When the fertility of the soil decreases, the farmer shifts to a new land
Notes

4
 www.iasscore.in

Also known as Slash & Burn agriculture

Practised in East India, Central Africa, America
Horticulture Intensive cultivation of vegetables, fruits and flowers
Dairy Farming Animals are reared for milk & main emphasis is on cattle breeding & vetenary
services
Rearing of Milch animals is an important aspect of Dairy farming
Mediterranean Agriculture Practised in Mediterranean lands surrounding Mediterranean Sea
Highly specialized commercial agriculture, done mainly for citrus fruits
Famous for Viticulture i.e. grape cultivation for wines
Market Gardening / Cultivation of high valued day to day market crops like fruits, flowers &
Horticulture vegetation

Cooperative Farming
E
Grown on small farms which are well connected with urban markets by cheap
n efficient means of transportation
OR
Netherland >> Famous for flowers, especially Tulips
Farmers specialised in vegetables only mainly practice Truck farming with
overnight market transportation
SC
Farmers voluntarily pool their resources together like land, machinery etc. to
form a co-operative society.
Cooperative societies help farmers to procure more inputs, sell farm products
at best prices & procure essentials in quantity at cheaper rates
For Ex. Denmark, Netherland
GS

Collective Farming State owned agriculture esp. in socialist countries like Russia
Farmers pool their resources together to achieve yearly targets set by gov. to
sell their produce at fixed rates.
Excess of produce is distributed among members or are sold in the market
Members are also paid according to the nature of work allotted to them.
INFRASTRUCTURE FACTORS RELATED TO AGRICULTURE
A. Seed:
Seed is a fertilized matured ovule together covered with seed coat.
Importance of seed
a) Seed bridge between the two generations of plant life.
b) Seed is the medium which transferring character from one generation to next generation.
c) Seed is the vital and most important input for crop production.
d) Seed as food, feed, medicinal, industries or ornamental value.
Notes

5
 www.iasscore.in

Hybrid seeds are obtained by cross pollination of different varieties of related plants.
Genetically Modified seeds, are the ones in which the genetic material (DNA) has been altered in such
a way as to get the required quality.
Seed Village Scheme:
To upgrade the quality of farmer-saved seed, which is about 80-85% of the total seed used for crop production
programme, financial assistance is provided for distribution of foundation/certified seed at 50% cost of the
seed of crops for production of certified/quality seeds only and for training on seed production and technology
to the farmers.
The seed produced in these seed villages are preserved/stored till the next sowing season. In order to
encourage farmers to develop storage capacity of appropriate quality, assistance is given to farmers for
making/procuring of Pusa Bin/Mud bin/Bin made from paper pulp for storing of seed produced by the
frames on their farms.
Establishment and Maintenance of Seed Bank:
In order to ensure that seeds are available to the farmers at the time of natural calamities like floods, droughts,

E
etc., a need was felt to establish a Seed Bank to maintain stocks of foundation and certified seeds of different
crops/varieties which can be utilized for such contingent requirements. Under this component, crop-wise
OR
targets of seeds are fixed for each participating organization for maintenance in the Seed Bank every year.
B. Fertilizers:
Fertilizers are chemical compounds applied to promote plant and fruit growth.
Organic fertilizers are fertilizers derived from animal matter, human excreta or vegetable matter. (e.g.
SC

compost, manure). Naturally occurring organic fertilizers include animal wastes from meat processing,
peat, manure, slurry, and guano.
Inorganic fertilizers contain simple inorganic chemicals. Some of the common nutrients present in fertilizers
are nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NKP). They also contain secondary plant nutrients such as
calcium, sulphur and magnesium.
GS

Bio-fertilizers Pros:
Increases crop yield by 20-30%
Provide protection against drought and some soil-borne diseases
Replaces chemical nitrogen & phosphorus by 25%
Stimulates plant growth
Cost-effective
Environment friendly
To some extent, helps to cleanse the plant from precipitated chemical fertilizers
Bio-fertilizers Cons:
Effects are slower compared to chemical fertilizer
Difficulty to store as sensitive to temp. and humidity changes
Notes

6
 www.iasscore.in

Much lower nutrient density - requires large amounts to get enough for most crops
Sometimes, are hard to locate/purchase in faraway rural areas.
New Urea policy 2015
New urea policy 2015 (NUP), which became effective from June 1, 2015 has principal objectives of
maximizing domestic urea production and promoting energy efficiency to rationalize subsidy burden. The
policy aims at tightening the energy consumption norms based on the actual energy consumption levels of
respective units during past few years. Further, the subsidy calculation for production above reassessed
capacity has been modified to protect the interest of stakeholders in case of significant volatility in International
Parity Price (IPP).
Neem Coating of urea
It has been made mandatory for all the indigenous producers of urea to produce 100% of their total
production of subsidized urea as neem coated urea.

E
About Urea
1. It is the most concentrated solid nitrogenous fertilizer, containing 46 per cent nitrogen.
2.
3.
4.
Urea sprays are readily absorbed by plants.
It may be applied at sowing or as, a top-dressing.
OR
The nitrogen in urea is readily fixed in the soil in an ammoniacal form and is not lost in drainage.
SC
5. It is suitable for most crops and can be applied to all soils.
C. Irrigation
Irrigation is an artificial application of water to the soil. It is usually used to assist in growing crops in
dry areas and during periods of inadequate rainfall.
Additionally, irrigation also has a few other uses in crop production, which include protecting plants
GS

against frost, suppressing weed growing in rice fields and helping in preventing soil consolidation.
There are large reserves of underground water in the alluvial plains of north India. Digging and constructing
wells and tube-wells is easy and cost of their construction is also comparatively less. Therefore irrigation
by wells and tube-wells here is popular
An irrigation canal is a waterway, often man-made or enhanced, built for the purpose of carrying water
from a source such as a lake, river, or stream, to soil used for farming or landscaping.
A tank consists of water storage which has been developed by constructing a small bund of earth or
stones built across a stream. The water impounded by the bund is used for irrigation or other purposes.
Localized irrigation is a system where water is distributed under low pressure through a piped network,
in a pre-determined pattern, and applied as a small discharge to each plant or adjacent to it. Drip irrigation,
spray or micro-sprinkler irrigation and bubbler irrigation belong to this category of irrigation methods.
Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY)
GOI had announced 'Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana' with the motto of water to every farm 'Har
Khet Ko Paani'. The scheme is aimed at irrigating the field of every farmer and improving water use efficiency
to provide ''Per Drop More Crop''.
Notes

7
 www.iasscore.in

The major objective of PMKSY is to achieve convergence of investments in irrigation at the field level,
expand cultivable area under assured irrigation, improve on-farm water use efficiency to reduce wastage of
water, enhance the adoption of precision-irrigation and other water saving technologies (More crop per drop),
enhance recharge of aquifers and introduce sustainable water conservation practices by exploring the feasibility
of reusing treated municipal waste water for peri-urban agriculture and attract greater private investment in
precision irrigation system.
D. HYV (High Yielding Variety) Seeds ? Green Revolution by Norman Borlaug
Positives:
To achieve self-sufficiency in food
Shorter Life cycles
Increased productivity
Benefited Wheat & Rice
Benefitted Punjab, Haryana, UP, TN, Andhra Pradesh & Maharashtra

E
Negatives:
OR
Input cost increased
More water & fertilizer required
Chemical poisoning of soil
Salinity & Alkalinity increased which makes soil impermeable
SC

Depletion of ground water

Loss of fertility of soil
Limited to selective states only
Limited to selected crops only
GS

E. Green Manure
A type of cover crop grown primarily to add nutrients and organic matter to the soil.
A green manure crop is grown for a specific period of time, and then ploughed under and incorporated
into the soil while it is still green or shortly after flowering.
Provides subsidy on purchase of seeds & on cost for production of seeds for green manure plants.
Leguminous types -- Have Nitrogen fixing ability for ex. Cowpeas, Soybeans.
Non- Leguminous types -- For weed suppression & addition of biomass to the soil for eg. Sudan grass,
Millets, Sorghum & Buckwheat.
Advantage:
Helps in soil improvement & soil protection
Provides forage for pollinating insects
Deep rooting properties ? Increase aeration of soil+ Efficient at suppressing weeds
Notes

8
 www.iasscore.in

Fix nitrogen in soil, thus Less chemical fertilizers are required

Provides habitat for predatory beneficial insects which kill and eat harmful insects thus less pesticides are
required
Disadvantage:
Leguminous plants require good amount of irrigation
The "time" factor -- one cannot plant the primary marketable crop during green manuring phase.
F. Genetically Modified Food
Modified form of agricultural plants to enhance desired traits such as increased resistance to herbicides
or improved nutritional content
Using the latest molecular biology techniques & genetic engineering, plants are undertaken breeding to get
the desired results

E
Last decade, genetically modified (GM) crops were introduced esp. for Cotton & Brinjal in India but as
of now only GM Bt. Cotton production is allowed.
Advantages of GM Foods
Pest resistance
OR
Herbicide resistance
SC
Disease resistance
Draught tolerance
Salinity tolerance
Increased nutrition
GS

Better flavour and colour

Early maturing
All year availability
Easy to store
Disadvantages of GM Foods
Reduced effectiveness to pesticides
Unknown effects on human health
Gene transfer to non-target species
Playing with nature and its mechanisms
Monopoly of MNCs in GM seeds
High input cost -- Requires high dose of fertilizers
Notes

9
 www.iasscore.in

Genetically-modified foods have the potential to solve many of the world's hunger and malnutrition
problems, and to help protect and preserve the environment by increasing yield and reducing reliance upon
chemical pesticides and herbicides.
Yet there are many challenges ahead for governments, especially in the areas of safety testing, regulation,
international policy and food labeling. Hence, we must proceed with caution to avoid causing unintended
harm to human health and the environment as a result of our enthusiasm for this powerful technology.
SC STAYS COMMERCIAL RELEASE OF GM MUSTARD
It has asked the Central Government to seek public opinion before releasing the variety for cultivation
purpose.
Order in this regard was issued by SC Bench of Chief Justice T.S. Thakur and Justice A.M. Khanwilkar
on petition filed by Aruna Rodrigues.
The petition had alleged that sowing of the GM Mustard seeds will be undertaken without relevant tests
and without entire bio-safety dossier for commercial launch GM mustard.
It also had urged the SC to prohibit open field trials and the commercial release of Herbicide Tolerant

E
(HT) crops, including HT Mustard DMH 11 and its parent lines/variants.
Arguments in Favour GM Mustard
OR
DMH-11 yields about 30% more than a traditional reference mustard variety.
Help in boosting edible mustard oil production thus, reduce huge import bill for edible oil.
Help to boost government-led scientific researches in Agriculture.
SC

Arguments against GM Mustard

Approval to GM mustard would open a gate to several genetically modified food crops.
Environmentalists are raising biosafety concern with GM crops as their introduction may adversely affect
environment, human and animal health.
GS

As DMH-11 has external gene that makes the plant resistant to herbicide. Thus it will force farmers to
use only select brands of agro-chemicals.
Technical expert committee appointed by the Supreme Court in this regard earlier had found that HT
crops completely unsuitable in the Indian context.
The herbicide-resistant crops may adversely impact the manual labourers, for whom weeding provides
livelihood.
INDIAN CROPS
Famous Indian Crops
Rice 20 - 27* C of average Temperature
150 cm of average Rainfall
Require Warm & Humid climate
Clayely or alluvial moisture retentive soil
Labour intensive crop
Notes

10
 www.iasscore.in

Wheat 15 - 20* C of average Temperature

75 cm of average Rainfall
Require moderate cool climate
Clayely or well drained fertile soil
Machine intensive crop
Maize 18 - 27* C of average Temperature
75 cm of average Rainfall
Atleast 140 frost free days
Require Warm climate
Alternate Rainy & Sunny Season is best for this crop

E
Sugarcane Belongs to Bamboo family



Indigenous to India
Long duration crop - 10 - 15 months
20 - 27* C of average Temperature
OR
75 - 150 cm of average Rainfall
SC

No from with moderately warm climate

Soil exhausting crop - Requires heavy dose of fertilizers
Special Feature - Ratooning
GS

Millets 20 - 30* C of average Temperature

40 - 60 cm of average Rainfall
Requires warm & dry climate
Can be grown on medium to low fertility soil
Best is sandy loamy soil with good drainage
Bigger millets are called Sorghums
For example Jowar - Great Millet
Cotton 20 - 30* C of average Temperature
50 - 100 cm of average Rainfall
Requires approx. 210 frost free days
Requires mineral rich black lava soil (Regur)
Soil exhausting crop - Requires heavy dose of fertilizers
Notes

11
 www.iasscore.in

Jute Obtained from the bark of the plant

25 - 35* C of average Temperature
120 - 150 cm of average Rainfall
Requires Hot & Humid climate
Soil exhausting crop -- Requires heavy dose of fertilizers
Requires rich delta or alluvial soil
Famous Jute substitutes -- Mesta, Kenaf
Tobacco More than 18* C of average Temperature
50 cm of average Rainfall
Requires 120 - 180 frost free days
Sandy soil with good drainage

E
Tea 20 - 30* C of average Temperature
OR
150 - 250 cm of average Rainfall
Requires heavy rainfall but no stagnant water
Hence grown on hill slopes
Coffee 15 - 25* C of average Temperature
SC

150 - 250 cm of average Rainfall

Shade loving crop -- Grown in shades of banana or rubber
Requires heavy rainfall but no stagnant water
Hence grown on hill slopes
GS

Cocoa 25* C of average Temperature

125 cm of average Rainfall
Requires protection from direct sunrays
Hence grown in shades
Barley Same climatic conditions as wheat
Can be grown in areas of poor soil with less rainfall
Mainly used as fodder
Rubber Obtained from the latex of plants (Heavea Brasitiensis)
20 - 30* C of average Temperature
250 cm of average Rainfall
Grown on hill slopes to prevent water logging
Notes

12
 www.iasscore.in

LIST OF AGRICULTURAL REVOLUTIONS IN INDIA

Green Revolution
White Revolution
Black Revolution
Blue Revolution
Golden Fiber Revolution
Grey Revolution
Pink Revolution
Red Revolution
Round Revolution
Food grain Production
Milk Production
Petroleum production
Fish production
Jute Production
Fertilizer production
Onion production/Pharmaceutical (India)/Prawn production
Meat & Tomato production
Potato production

E
Silver Fiber Revolution Cotton production
Silver Revolution Egg/Poultry production
Yellow Revolution
Evergreen Revolution
Oil Seeds production
OR
Overall development of Agriculture
NITI Aayog has identified three key areas for reform and is now persuading states to undertake the reforms.
SC
The areas identified for immediate reforms are:
Agricultural market reforms
Land lease reforms
Reforms related to forestry on private land - felling and transit of trees.
GS

Three crucial reforms pertaining to marketing in agriculture have been recommended by NITI Aayog. First is
the immediate need to amend existing regulations in order to liberalize markets. Farmer to should be given
the freedom to decide to whom, where and how he wants to sell his produce. Seven indicators have been
developed by NITI in this regard. The reforms also suggest special treatment of fruits and vegetables from
other farm produce as they are perishable and produced in small quantities. Importantly, the recommended
reforms place importance on IT in marketing for the creation of a 'national market' for agriculture, so that
farmers across the country may benefit from interconnected markets, through the use of appropriate technology.
This important reform has so far eluded the country due to strong lobbies of middlemen and the reluctance
of political class to take favourable steps.
NITI Aayog has launched an index to rank States and UTs that is based on implementation of seven
provisions proposed under model APMC Act, joining eNAM initiative, special treatment to fruits and
vegetables for marketing and level of taxes in mandis. These indicators reveal ease of doing agribusiness as
well as opportunities for farmers to benefit from modern trade and commerce and have wider option for sale
of her/his produce. These indicators also represent competitiveness, efficiency and transparency in agri markets.
The second area of reforms included in the index is relaxation in restrictions related to lease in and lease out
agricultural land and change in law to recognise tenant and safeguard land owners liberalisation. The third area
included in the index represent freedom given to farmers for felling and transit of trees grown on private land.
Notes

13
 Indian Polity www.iasscore.in

EMERGENCY PROVISIONS
Emergency Provisions have been inserted in the Constitution for dealing with extraordinary situations that may
threaten the peace, security, stability and governance of the country or a part thereof. They are included in part
XVIII from articles 352 to 360.
There are three types of extraordinary or crisis situations that are envisaged.
An emergency due to war or external aggression or armed rebellion i.e. National Emergency.
An emergency due to the failure of the constitutional machinery in a State i.e. State Emergency.
An emergency due to a threat to credit or financial stability of the country i.e. Financial Emergency.

E
National Emergency (Article 352)

OR
The Constitution of India originally provided for imposition of emergency in the event of war, external
aggression or internal disturbance but by the 44th Amendment Act the expression internal disturbance
was replaced by the term armed rebellion.
This type of emergency can be declared by the President if he is satisfied that the security of India or
SC
any part thereof is threatened or is likely to be threatened. The President can declare such an emergency
only after the written advice of the Cabinet.
Every such proclamation of emergency has to be approved by both the Houses of Parliament by absolute
majority of the total membership of the Houses as well as 2/3rd majority of members present and voting
within one month, failing which the proclamation ceases to operate.
In case the Lok Sabha stands dissolved at the time of proclamation of emergency or is not in session,
GS

it has to be approved by the Rajya Sabha within one month and later on by the Lok Sabha also within
one month of the start of its next session.
Once approved by the Parliament, the emergency remains in force for a period of six months from the
date of proclamation. A fresh resolution has to be passed by the Parliament in case the emergency is to
be extended beyond six months. In this way, such emergency continues indefinitely. The emergency can
be revoked by another proclamation by the President anytime.
The 44th Amendment of the Constitution provided that ten per cent or more members of the Lok Sabha
can requisition a meeting of the Lok Sabha and in that meeting, it can disapprove or revoke the emergency
by a simple majority. In such a case emergency will immediately become inoperative.
So far, National Emergency has been declared in our country three timesNational Emergency has been declared
in our country three times
1) The first emergency was declared on 26 October 1962 after China attacked our borders in the North and
East. This National Emergency lasted till 10 January 1968.
2) The second emergency was declared on 3 December 1971 in the wake of the second India-Pakistan War
and was lifted on 21 March 1977.
Notes

1
 www.iasscore.in

3) The third National Emergency (called internal emergency) was imposed on 25 June 1975. This emergency
was declared on the ground of internal disturbances.
Effects of National Emergency
The declaration of National Emergency has far-reaching effects both on the rights of individuals and the
autonomy of the states in the following manner:
During the operation of national emergency the executive power of the centre extends to directing any
state regarding the manner in which its executive power is to be exercised.
Parliament becomes empowered to make laws on any subject mentioned in the state list.
The tenure of the Lok Sabha extends by a period of one year at a time. But the same cannot be extended
beyond six months after the proclamation ceases to operate. The tenure of State Assemblies can also be
extended in the same manner.
During emergency, the President is empowered to modify the provisions regarding distribution of revenues
between the Union and the States.

E
The Fundamental Rights under Article 19 are automatically suspended and this suspension continues till
the end of the emergency. But according to the 44th Amendment Article 19 can be suspended only in case
OR
of proclamation on the ground of war or external aggression and not on ground of armed rebellion.
Other fundamental rights may also get suspended except Article 20 and 21.
State Emergency (Article 356)
According to the Constitution it is the duty of the Union Government to ensure that governance of a State
SC

is carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution. Under Article 356, the President may
issue a proclamation to impose emergency in a state if he is satisfied on receipt of a report from the
Governor of the concerned State, or otherwise, that a situation has arisen under which the administration
of the State cannot be carried on according to the provisions of the constitution.
In such a situation, proclamation of emergency by the President is on account of the failure (or breakdown)
of constitutional machinery. Thus it is known as Presidents Rule or State Emergency or Constitutional
GS

Emergency.
The proclamation imposing state emergency must be placed before both the Houses of Parliament for
approval. The approval must be given within two months from the date of its issue failing which the
proclamation ceases to operate. If in the meantime Lok Sabha gets dissolved, then the proclamation must
be approved within 30 days from the first sitting of Lok Sabha.
If approved by the Parliament, the proclamation remains valid for six months at a time. It can be extended
for a maximum three years with the approval of the parliament, every six months. The 44th Amendment
Act added a provision that the emergency beyond one year can be extended by six months at a time only
when
(a) A National Emergency is already in operation; or if
(b) The Election Commission certifies that the election to the State Assembly cannot be held.
Effects of Imposition of Presidents Rule in a State
The President can assume to himself all or any of the functions of the State Government or he may vest
all or any of those functions with the Governor or any other executive authority.
Notes

2
 www.iasscore.in

The President may dissolve the State Legislative Assembly or put it under suspension. He may authorize
the Parliament to make laws on behalf of the State Legislature.
The Parliament can delegate the power to make laws for the state to the President or any other body
specified by him when the state legislature is suspended or dissolved.

Financial Emergency (Article 360)

The third type of Emergency is the Financial Emergency provided under Article 360. It provides that if
the President is satisfied that the financial stability or credit of India or any of its part is threatened; he
may declare a state of Financial Emergency.
A proclamation declaring financial emergency must be approved by the Parliament within two months
from the date of its issue. If the Lok Sabha gets dissolved in the mean time then it must be cleared within
30 days from the first sitting of the new Lok Sabha.
The financial emergency continues indefinitely till it is revoked. The financial emergency has never been
proclaimed in India so far.

E
Effects of Financial Emergency

OR
The Union Government may give direction to the States regarding financial matters.
The President may ask the States to reduce the salaries and allowances of all or any class of persons in
government service.
The President may ask the States to preserve all the money bills for the consideration of the Parliament
SC
after they have been passed by the State Legislature.
The President may also give directions for the reduction of salaries and allowances of the Central
Government employees including the Judges of the Supreme Court and the High Courts.
GS
Notes

3
 Trending Topics www.iasscore.in

E-POSTAL BALLOTS
The Government has issued Notification on 21st October, 2016 amending rule 23 of the Conduct of Elections
Rules, 1961 enabling service voters, including armed forces personnel, to cast their vote in elections through
e-postal ballot.
What is e-postal ballot?
Under this system a blank postal ballot paper is transmitted to them electronically.
Voters entitled to postal ballot such as service voters, can download the postal ballot and print the blank postal
ballot. After marking his vote in the blank postal ballot, the same would be returned to the concerned
Returning Officer by post as in the present system of postal ballot.

E
What will be the benefits?

OR
This would cut short the delay experienced in the present system in two-way transmission of ballot paper by
the postal services. The armed forces personnel serving in remote and border areas would be greatly benefitted
since the present system of two-way transmission of ballot paper by the postal services has not been able to
meet the expectations of the service voters.
Who are the main beneficiaries?
SC

On a pilot basis, e-postal ballot system has been introduced for service voters consisting of (a) armed police
forces of the Union; (b) other forces subject to the provisions of the Army Act, 1950; (c) armed forces of
a State serving outside that State; and (d) those employed under the Government of India in a post outside
India.
GS
Notes

1
 Trending Topics www.iasscore.in

NATIONAL ACADEMIC DEPOSITORY (NAD)

Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister approved the establishment of a National Academic Depository (NAD).
The government is creating an online database NAD where all academic certificates will be available in digital
format by the end of next year. In NAD all academic degrees, certificates and awards would be digitally
available for verification. The NAD would be established and operationalize in three months and would be
rolled out throughout the country in 2017-18.
Academic institutions would be directed to upload and authenticate all documents in digital form.
The database will be established in an electronic format by an identified registered depository, with all institutes,
including school boards, the Indian Institutes of Technology, the National Institutes of Technology and
polytechnics from different States having linkages to the depository.

E
Who will operationalize NAD?
NSDL Database Management Limited (NDML) and CDSL Ventures Limited (CVL), wholly-owned subsidiaries
OR
of the Depositories registered under the Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Act, 1992, would
operationalize the NAD.
Would it require a Bill?
No. After the nod from the Union Cabinet the measure would be implemented with this decision and it would
SC

not require the introduction of a Bill.

What are the security features in NAD?
1. It will provide digital or a printed copy of the academic award with security features to the students or
other authorised users.
2. NAD will verify academic awards online on the same day of request initiated by any authorised user.
GS

3. Requests for access to academic awards, for example, from potential employers, and academic institutions
would be only on the basis of consent of the student.
4. NAD shall maintain the authenticity, integrity and confidentiality of its database. It will also train and
facilitate academic institutions/boards/ eligibility assessment bodies to efficiently lodge academic awards
in the database.
The database will help the administration effectively deal with forged certificates and fake degree rackets, and
enable online verification and easy retrieval of particulars of academic qualifications. Students will also benefit
for, they need not worry about spoilage of certificates over time and getting their certificates attested.
How will it improve the current situation?
Once NAD will be operationalize fake degrees would become a thing of the past. However, only recognised
institutions would be asked to upload the degrees.
Benefits of NAD
a) Students & Certificate Holders
Notes

2
 www.iasscore.in

Early receipt of online certificates as compared to physical certificates.

Online, 24/7 access to all certificate records and no risk of losing, mutilation etc.
Easy acceptability of online verifiable certificates without requiring attested copies, original presentation.
Easy facility for applying for and obtaining duplicate copy of the certificates.
Easy facility to submit verifiable copy of the certificate to employers, higher educational institutes.
Admissions, Jobs, Loans becomes easier.
b) Academic Institutes
Digital front-end for academic institutes to deliver online services for academic certificates.
Reduction in the cost and efforts for certificate issuance and verification activities.
IT Back-end for maintaining updated data of certificates.

E
Reduces the menace of Fake & Forged Certificates.
Reports & Analysis
c)

Certificate Verification Users
OR
Centralized system enabling verification of academic awards of various academic institutions at a single
place.
SC
Online verification of academic awards thereby reducing the time and cost involved in verification.
Quicker processing of underlying Job application, Loan application and Admission application.
Fully Online, Transparent and Auditable system reduces the need for intermediation and associated risks.
GS
Notes

3
 Trending Topics www.iasscore.in

HEART OF ASIA CONFERENCE

The Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process (HoA) was founded on November 2nd, 2011 in Istanbul, Turkey to
address the shared challenges and interests of Afghanistan and its neighbours and regional partners. It will
also contribute to the stability and prosperity to Afghanistans extended neighbourhood in South Asia, Central
Asia and West Asia.

The Heart of Asia-Istanbul Process was launched in 2011 and the participating countries include Pakistan,
Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Turkey,
Turkmenistan and the United Arab Emirates.

Three pillars of this conference process are:

E
Political Consultations: Political consultation involving Afghanistan and its near and extended neighbours

Confidence Building Measures (CBMs): Areas for CBMs identified in the Istanbul Process document are
OR
Disaster management, Counter-terrorism, Counter-narcotics, Trade, Commerce and Investment, Regional
infrastructure, and Education.

Cooperation with Regional Organizations

Key Highlights of the Sixth Conference

SC

a) Menace of terrorism dominated the Amritsar meet

o Amritsar Declarationnamed the terrorist organisations that are jeopardising the security situation in
Afghanistan:

This was a big blow to Pakistan asalmost all the terrorist organisations which are named in the
GS

declaration are based in Pakistan.

The declarationmentions two groups targeting India, Lashkar-e-Taiba and the Jaish-e-Mohammad,
in addition to the Haqqani network, among the organisations causing a high level of violence in
Afghanistan and the region.

b) A regional approach to eliminate terrorism is suggested:

o It included dismantling of terrorist sanctuaries and safe havens in the Heart of Asia region, as well as
disrupting all financial, tactical and logistical support for terrorism.

o It also includes tapping the capacities of political and religious leaders, civil society, mass media and
social networks in the fight against terror.

c) The declaration asks for early finalization of the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism
with consensus.

d) For the first time, a Heart of Asia declaration has expressed concern at the violence caused in Afghanistan
and the region by groups like al-Qaeda and Daesh, Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad etc.
Notes

4
 www.iasscore.in

e) The declaration has spoken of the dangers emanating from the increase in production and cultivation of
opium in Afghanistan, the volume of drug trafficking and demand in the HoA Region and beyond.
f) Afghanistan rejected Pakistans offer of $500 million for reconstruction of Afghanistan, and advised it to
use the money to counter terrorist activities emanating from Pakistan.

E
OR
SC
GS
Notes